Scotland 31-19 Italy: Huw Jones scores hat-trick in testing Six Nations opener

Scotland survived an almighty scare as they snuffed out a rousing Italy fightback to kick their 2025 Six Nations campaign off with a 31-19 victory at Murrayfield.

Scotland looked well on course for victory after first-half tries from flanker Rory Darge, centre Huw Jones and scrum-half Ben White gave them a 10-point lead at the break.

But Italy, who had been kept in contention by three Tomasso Allan penalties, staged a stunning second-half comeback, levelling at 19-19 after Ignacio Brex's intercept try.

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Scotland regained composure and their advantage, with Jones applying the finishing touch after Darcy Graham's sensational run through the Italy defence.

Jones would complete his hat-trick 14 minutes from time to leave Scotland with an unassailable 12-point advantage which they didn't squander a second time.

Scotland survive Italy scare in Six Nations opener

Scotland raced into a two-try lead inside 10 minutes at Murrayfield, with Darge bundling over from the base of a ruck after a quick-tap penalty, before Jones cantered over unopposed after Duhan van der Merwe broke through the Italy defensive line.

Italy scrapped their way back into the contest, competing and forcing penalty turnovers at the breakdown, which allowed the visitors to respond with two expertly taken penalties from the boot of Allan.

Scotland went direct as they sought to regain control, as hooker Dave Cherry's bruising run and deft offload out the back of his hand saw White cross for their third try.

Allan's third and fourth penalty either side of the interval kept Italy in reach, laying the foundation for the drama that was to follow.

Brex popped up in the Scotland attacking line to intercept a Finn Russell pass and galloped 50 yards all the way to the try line for a brilliant score.

It left Scotland shellshocked, but a moment of magic from Graham, dissecting the Italy defence with a searing solo run, sparked the hosts back into life and allowed Jones to restore their lead with his second try.

Jones then produced some magnificent footwork of his own to complete his treble in the 66th minute to leave Scotland on course for an opening-round bonus-point victory.

Townsend: Italy have prepared Scotland for what's to come

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "It's positive that we started with a win, that we managed to score five tries, so you get maximum points. And to go through that test when we were leading for most of the game and then go 19-19 and come through it, that's going to prepare us really well for the tests that are going to come.

"There's going to be times where opposition get momentum, opposition get scores, like today, and it didn't affect the players' belief in what they needed to do to get the win."

Scotland host Ireland next Sunday and Townsend admitted his side will need to step their performance level up a notch if they are to maintain their winning start to the championship.

"We know the tests that are coming but that was a really good test today," he said. "Italy will be a serious opposition for every team in the championship, they were for us today, very physical, but I believe we'll have to be better than we were today to win (against Ireland)."

What's next?

Scotland host Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday (3pm) and Italy entertain Wales on Saturday (2.15pm) in the second round of the 2025 Six Nations.

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