Scots suffer Rome tragedy

Italy earn their first win but can't avoid the spoon

Last updated: 15th March 2008

Gonzalo Canale Mirco Bergamasco Italy v Scotland Six Nations

Blue delight: Italy celebrate

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Italy struck a last minute drop-goal to beat Scotland 23-20 at the Stadio Flaminio as Frank Hadden's men avoided the wooden spoon by just three points.

Azzurri full-back Andrea Marcato fired over the decisive three points as Nick Mallett picked up his first win in charge as his men opted to sacrifice the spoon in order to pick up their first points of the campaign.

Tries from Allister Hogg and Mike Blair gave the visitors a deserved lead at the break, but a first-half penalty try and a Gonzalo Canale score plus 13 points from the boot of Marcato ensured Italian glory in Rome.

In a cagey opening littered with errors it was the hosts who threatened first as Andrea Masi made a break and was held up just inches from the line.

The image of a Scottish player being stretchered off is becoming an all too frequent sight at present, and after six minutes Hadden was forced into a change as Simon Danielli departed with a suspected broken ankle.

Italy began to dominate and Chris Paterson was forced to touch down on his own line after a kick from Ezio Galon put the Scotland wing under pressure.

The resulting scrum brought about the first score of the game. The Scots were guilty of bringing down the scrum twice in quick succession and referee Nigel Owens awarded the try which Marcato duly converted.

Clinical

Scotland made their first break on 20 minutes and were clinical with it. Andrew Henderson was denied a score after he found space on the wing, but the visitors managed to keep the ball alive.

Scott MacLeod did well to keep the ball in play, and he found Hogg who picked up the pieces to score for the visitors. Paterson converted to bring the sides level.

Dan Parks then put Hadden's men in front on 25 minutes as he struck over a 45 metre penalty after the Azzurri were guilty of coming in from the side.

More good play from Parks soon after put Italy under pressure, and as the Azzurri failed to clear their lines they conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck.

Instead of opting for the three points Blair went for the catch and drive but Italy held firm and the gamble didn't pay off.

It proved costly as just a minute later MacLeod was penalised for not rolling away and Marcato levelled the scores up at 10-10 with a long distance kick just before the break.

With the half seeming destined to finish all square Blair made a trademark break through the heart of the vacant Azzurri defence to score under the posts.

Paterson picked up the bits to put the Scots into a deserved 17-10 lead at the interval.

Twist

An awful penalty miss from Marcato 10 minutes into the second half was an appropriate reflection of how badly both sides started the second period.

The game burst into life with 20 minutes to go as the game took another telling twist.

With Scotland building an attack in the Azzurri 22, Parks' pass was superbly read by Sergio Parisse and the Italy skipper surged into the Scotland half to set up Canale under the posts.

Marcato's conversion brought the scores together at 17-17 and the Azzurri knew another converted score would lift them off the foot of the Six Nations table.

Marcato and Paterson quickly exchanged penalties as the clock ticked down to leave Mallett's men seven minutes to find a decisive score.

With barely 30 seconds remaining Mallett's side bombarded the Scottish line with charge after charge.

However, the Azzurri made the decision to set up Marcato for the three points to claim the victory.

Despite still picking up the unwanted wooden spoon, the win was greeted with jubilation and great relief by all Italians, and Mallett, as the Stadio Flaminio showed its delight.