Six Nations misery for Townsend as Italy beat sorry Scotland

2026-02-07 - 17:06

Italy heaped the pressure on Scotland coach Gregor Townsend on Saturday, running out deserved 18-15 winners in their Six Nations opener played in atrocious wet conditions in Rome. The hosts led throughout the match, taking the initiative from the start with two tries inside the opening 15 minutes. Townsend, who had his head in his hands at the final whistle, has had his future cast into doubt after a series of poor results. Italy landed the first blow in the seventh minute with Louis Lynagh running on to touch down Juan Ignacio Brex’s sublime grubber kick, which caught out the Scottish defence. Centre Brex let out a huge roar of joy and celebrated with a clash of chests with scrum-half Alessandro Fusco. Paolo Garbisi’s conversion attempt from wide on the right hit