U20s: Scotland fall to Italy in first Six Nations game

Current Wooden Spoon holders Scotland were unable to avenge last year’s trouncing by Italy as they were beaten 22-10 at the Hive Stadium.

Italy’s passion during their anthem was matched only by their indiscipline in the opening exchanges, a stream of penalties allowing Scotland easy progression to the visitors’ try line.

They were soon punished as Dungannon RFC’s Billy Allan’s pick and go after pressure on the Italian line broke the deadlock 16 minutes in seemingly putting 2024’s 47-14 defeat behind them.

A slight bit of carelessness from Johnny Ventisei however saw his pass intercepted by Bennetton’s Frederico Zanandrea who proceeded to run in from forty metres, with Roberto Fasi’s conversion putting Italy in front after half an hour.

Half-time: Scotland U20 7-5 Italy U20

An unusually low-scoring first half ended 7-5 but Italy came flying out of the traps for the second.

Despite having Guy Rogers bearing down him, Jules Ducros sidestepped his opposite man and raced down the line before Italy made no mistake with the three on two advantage putting Niccolo Beni through for the side’s second.

Unable to capitalise from the tee Fasti missed a conversion and a penalty in the second half, allowing Scotland to stay within a score but they continued to suffocate the hosts.

Pressure paid off as Northampton Saints youngster Edoardo Todaro added the third as Scotland struggled to defend their line.

Discipline worsened for the Scots, their rising penalty count hampering attempts to chip away at the score but eventually Kenny Murray’s players rallied.

Replacement Oliver Duncan broke through Italy’s defence on the line with Urwin missing a second conversion as the losing bonus point remained out of reach.

Yet the hard work was undone as Scotland conceded yet another penalty which Fasti duly converted in the 79th minute to make it 22-10.

Finding themselves on Italy’s line in the dying moments, Scotland were unable to close the gap as Italy turned the ball over.

As the full-time whistle blew Scotland were confirmed losers of the tie for fifth time in a row.

Scotland will look to bounce back next week when they welcome Ireland with Italy hosting Wales.

Scotland Under-20s: Brown, Rogers, Ventisei (c), Yule, Watson, Urwin, Cowan, McKenna, Roberts, Blyth-Lafferty, Moss, Halkon, Lindsay, Allen, Logan.
Replacements: Stephen, Shearer, Whitefield, Godsell, Duncan, Patterson, Wolfenden, Moncriff

Tries: Allan 16′, Duncan 71′

Italy Under-20s: Pietramala, Ducros, Zanandrea, Todaro, Faissal, Fasti, Beni, Pelliccioli, Caiolo-Serra, Vallesi, Redondi, Opoku Gyamfi, Miranda, Casartelli, Milano (c)
Replacements: Casiraghi, Brasini, Bolognini, Melegari, Bianchi, Bellotto, Celi, Ndoumbe Lobe

Tries: Zanandrea 30′, Beni 46′, Todaro 62′
Conversions: Fasti 30′
Penalty: Fasti 79′