EDINBURGH, Scotland — Scotland managed to avoid a second consecutive defeat to Italy in the Six Nations rugby tournament, thanks to standout performances from their backline, despite missing their key player. The match concluded with a score of 31-19 in favor of Scotland at Murrayfield, where center Huw Jones scored two crucial tries after the Italian team leveled the score at 19-19 during the final quarter.
In an impressive moment during the 61st minute, right wing Darcy Graham created an unexpected break that allowed Jones to break the deadlock. Just five minutes later, a remarkable miss-out pass from substitute center Tom Jordan enabled Jones to power through three defenders for his third try, cementing the victory.
Jones’ achievement of scoring a hat trick in his test debut was somewhat unexpected since he played alongside a new partner in the midfield, as captain Sione Tuipulotu remains sidelined with a pectoral injury sustained last month. The absence of Tuipulotu’s dynamic presence meant that Scotland’s forwards needed to carry the load more in a tightly packed attack, which hindered the backline’s usual fluidity. Next weekend, Scotland faces an even tougher opponent, as they are set to take on their traditional rivals, Ireland, at Murrayfield.
Initially, Tuipulotu’s absence seemed negligible as Scotland surged to a 14-0 lead within the first nine minutes and controlled the score at 19-9 by halftime. The Scots saw tries from Rory Darge, Jones, and Ben White, which suggested a dominant performance ahead.
Italy, however, managed to stay competitive by converting four penalties from Tommaso Allan that kept them within reach. The turning point came when Italian center Juan Ignacio Brex intercepted a pass from Scotland’s co-captain Finn Russell, racing 60 meters to score and tie the game, silencing the home crowd.
Yet Scotland’s backline showcased their skills with two remarkable plays that ultimately secured a bonus point for their victory. “It was a solid team performance but there’s room for improvement,” remarked Russell.
The game kicked off with an early penalty that Scotland capitalized on. Darge powered through numerous defenders to score first. Russell’s clever play opened the space for wing Duhan van der Merwe, who set up an unmarked Jones for a quick second try.
Italy finally made their presence felt in the game, but they struggled to enter Scotland’s 22-meter area due to Scotland conceding only four penalties in the first half. Allan capitalized on three out of four penalties, keeping his team in contention.
Scotland demonstrated attacking prowess with a strong 13-phase build-up, but an attack faltered when Russell lost the ball to Lorenzo Cannone. However, following a lineout, Dave Cherry’s smart play allowed scrumhalf White to score in the corner, extending Scotland’s lead to three tries.
With a score feeling increasingly close, Allan opened the second half with another penalty, followed by Brex’s crucial try that tied the match. It was a tense atmosphere at Murrayfield, but Graham’s critical break in his first Six Nations appearance in three years set up Jones for the decisive score.
Graham expressed satisfaction with his role in the match, acknowledging that his contributions helped shift the momentum in Scotland’s favor. “Penalties kept them in the game, and it was about adhering to our game plan while waiting for that spark to ignite,” he noted.
Jones, who played a vital role, highlighted the importance of Graham’s break. “It was a pivotal moment in the match. Darcy found a gap where it seemed there wasn’t one, and I just had to keep pace with him,” he commented.
Looking ahead, Italy prepares to face Wales in a match that could determine the wooden spoon outcome, while Scotland aims to build on their success as they welcome the defending champions, Ireland, next week. Jones concluded, “While we are pleased with today’s outcome, our priority is focusing on one match at a time as we continue through the tournament.”
