Rugby Mad Blog

Six Nations Game 1 – England vs Italy (36-11)

The Six Nations has rolled around again, and every England fan was hoping for an improvement over their lacklustre Autumn performances. When Andy Goode [left] scored a try within 95 seconds of kickoff, we were thinking it might come true. But the euphoria was short lived.

To be honest, most people were more interested in the shocking performance of the hapless Mauro Bergamasco, a Flanker playing Scrum Half. Itatian coach Nick Mallett might have had his hands forced by injury nightmares, but within the first few minutes, it was obvious to everyone that he was far from competant at No. 9.

Another Bergamasco error saw him sucked into a ruck, missing the ball as it popped up for James Haskell to flick a pass towards Harry Ellis [right], who took full advantage and sprinted 20m to cross the line with a slide, evading Italian defenders.

Minutes later the Italian’s day went from bad to nightmare when he botched a pass to Gonzalo Garcia, enabling Andy Goode to gather, kick ahead and the move was finished off by Riki Flutey [left].

That left England going in at the break 22-6 up.

Thankfully, Mallett put us all out of our misery an brought on his 5th choice Scrum Half  Giulio Toniolatt for his second cap in the second half. He was certainly an improvement!

There were three more tries in the second period – a second for Man-Of-The-Match Ellis, a consolation try for Miro Bergamasco (at least one brother did something right), and a welcome return to the scoreboard (and team) for Winger Mark Cueto [right].

The final result was a rather flattering 36-11. There will be plenty for Martin Johnson to work on during the coming seven days. I can hardly see the Welsh quaking in their boots for next week’s clash at the Millennium Stadium. But one or two England fans might be.

Six Nations Game 13 – Italy vs Scotland (23-20)

The Italians managed first blood when their pack were scrummaging well, and the Scots half collapsed – ref Nigel Owens gave a penalty try on 12 minutes and the conversion was good.

In the 20th minute, Scot Ally Hogg managed a try, his 10th for Scotland, from a great offload in the tackle, just reward for a long period of possession. Only the Scots 2nd try of the championship. Chris Paterson managed his 31st kick at goal with no trouble, to take the scores level at 7-7.

Italy infringed at a ruck in the 25th minute, and up stepped Dan Parks [right] for a huge 43m penalty to take the Scots ahead, 7-10. The just before half time, the Italians drew level once more through a penalty kick. A tense time for both teams, and interesting watching for neutrals.

Scottish Captain Mike Blair broke away from traffic to touch down between the posts just on the stroke of half time. Paterson converted to give them the advantage at the break, 10-17.

The Italians missed a chance for a penalty in the 48th minute. There were a few breaks and half breaks, with Scotland missing some important tackles. The Italian scrum was looking convincing as it had at the start of the first half. Both teams were throwing it around and whilst it was entertaining, there were alos plenty of errors and knock-ons.

The Azzurri turned over a Scottish attack when they intercepted a poor Dan Parks pass. Sergio Parisse flew down the pitch, passed in field to Gonzalo Canale who dived over between the posts. The conversion made it level pegging, 17-all with 20 minutes to go. The Roman crowd went mad, yelling “ITALIA” at the top of their lungs.

Andrea Marcato [left] kicked the home side in front at 70 minutes when Scotland were caught offside. 20-17 up, and the Stadio Flaminio went into overdrive. A couple of minutes later, Scotland levelled it again when Chris Paterson took a penalty, making is 32nd successfull kick in a row. 20-20 with eight minutes left.

In the 77th minute, Italy had an attacking lineout on the Scottish 10m line. The forwards went mauling and then it went to the backs, through several phases. More pick and drive, the clock ticking down. Canale was stopped a couple of metres short of the line. The Italians were chanting in the crowd and the Scottish defence was working overtime. Then it came back to Marcato, in the pocket for a sweet drop goal in the last minute. Italy 23 Scotland 20. The time ticked away, and an Italian boot kicked it out to touch. Once again, the Stadio Flaminio went nuts.

So, Italy won the game, and the Wooden Spoon, but that didn’t seem to matter. And what an entertaining game – always nail-biting, even for a neutral to watch. The Azzurri’s grins said it all.

Six Nations Game 12 – France vs Italy (25-13)

Despite Italy’s persistance, France managed to pick up a vital victory at the Stade de France to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.

Marc Lievremont rang the changes once more, with several new caps. But the gamble paid off, to keep the Gallic side in the running for a showdown next week with their Celtic rivals Wales.

The French were only just in front at half time, partly thanks to a try from new boy Anthony Floch’s [right] try. Initially, Captain Lionel Nallet thought he had scored, but the ref judged he’s not taken a tap-and-go penalty correctly. The French pack were dominant for at a maul, and then Francois Trinh-Duc put a lovely chip for Julien Malzieu who collected and fed Floch for his first try.

Minutes later, after an Italian penalty brought the score to 7-3, the Azzurri looked like scoring until Gonzalo Canale spilled the ball with the line beckoning. Then Dmitri Yachvili took another penalty to bring the score to 13-6 at half time.

In the second half, Yannick Jauzion [right] scored a lovely try from Yachvili’s chip ahead, to put France further in the lead. But France weren’t getting it all their own way. Italy won a lineout from a corner penalty, and the powerful Italian pack drove Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni over the line for a touchdown. The conversion made it 18-13 and the Azzurri were chasing Les Bleus all the way.

Aurelien Rougerie almost had another try, were it not for Mirco Bergamasco’s try-saving tackle, holding up the Frenchman’s arm over the line, the video ref having to be consulted before no-try was given.

Rougerie made amends moments later, when he took an excellent pass from Damien Traille and touched down safely, taking the French safely away from the Italians. An entertaining game, France were the victors at 25-13.

Six Nations Game 7 – Wales vs Italy (47-2)

The Italians have been slow to start their last two games, and they intended to try better this time round. But they gave away two silly penatlies in the first few minutes, to take Wales into a 6-0 lead.

In the 12th minute, Wales stuffed up their own lineout deep in their own half; Italian prop Martin Castrogiovanni caught the overthrow and dived for the line for a try. Unfortunately, Andrea Marcato’s conversion hit the woodwork. But all of a sudden, Italy were only trailing by one point. They spilled another try-scoring performance around 20 minutes, when Ezio Galon passed to Gonzalo Canale, who knocked on within inches of the line. Kiwi Coach Nick Mallett was literally hopping mad in the stands!

In the 28th minute, Wales hit back with a lovely team-engineered try from Lee Byrne [left], who dived over in the corner. Stephen Jones‘ conversion was good, giving the Welsh a 13-5 lead.

Plenty more endeavour, but no more scores until just before the final whistle for half time. Italy’s forwards were pushing hard against the Welsh defence; they had the line in site with pick and drive moves, Wales infringed and Marcato’s kick for 3 points was clean, even from a tight angle. So the Azzurri would be happy to go in 13-8 down at the break.

Wales struck a killer blow two minutes in to the second half, when Andrea Masi threw a terrible pass which was intercepted by Tom Shanklin [right], who ran in under the posts from half way. Jones’ conversion was simple. And Shanklin will be celebrating his 50th Cap with a great try, taking his team to a 20-8 lead.

Within another minute, Dwayne Peel went off with blurred vision after an earlier knock, Mike Philips came on for him, and made a blistering break up the wing. He passed out of a tackle but the receiver couldn’t quite finish it off. The Welsh won a lineout close to the Italian line, and the Azzurri infringed, so Jones took another three points, 23-8.

Mirco Bergamasco was sin-binned for killing the ball, so spent 10 minutes of his birthday in disgrace. Stephen Jones kicked another penalty to make the score 26-8.

Wales managed to gather another of their own overthrown lineouts, and it passed through hands until the last man on the wing was Shane Williams [left] – who scored a lovely try in the corner, his 38th in the red jersey. Stephen Jones made it 7 out of 7 kicks, Wales romping away at 33-8.

The rout continued in the 67th minute when Lee Byrne scythed through the Italian defensive line and ran in from the half way line. Tired Italian legs could do nothing to stop him. James Hook, on for Stephen Jones, took the extras and Wales were up for a 40-8 lead.

Turning the screws further, Shane Williams cut through the Azzurri’s defence, swerved past several tackles and made a blistering run to finish off his second try. Hook made it 47-8, the final score, and another win under Welsh belts. They march on next week to a possible Triple Crown if they can beat Ireland.

Six Nations Game 6 – Italy vs England (19-23)

England fans can be forgiven for thinking there was a certain amount of déjà vu this weekend. For the second game running, the Red Rose boys looked promising, even impressive in the first 40 minutes, but seemed to go to pieces in the second half. Thankfully this time the result was different.

Jonny Wilkinson [right] initially appeared to be on song when he made a lovely chip ahead, caught a kind bounce and flipped a pass out of the back of his hand to Paul Sackey, who ran in for a score in the first couple of minutes. Wilkinson added the extras in England were ahead 0-7. Italy replied after five minutes with a penatly struck by David Bortolussi, and another at 12 minutes, pulling the hosts back to 6-7.

Around the quarter hour, Jamie Noon charged down a Bortolussi kick, passed to Wilkinson who offloaded to Toby Flood, who took a flamboyant dive in the corner. The all-newcastle midfield were firing well together. Jonny’s conversion took him to 1,000 points in an England shirt and England to a 6-14 lead.

England managed another two penalties before the break, both from the boot of Wilkinson, giving them a 14-point cushion at 6-20. But as with last week, England lost the plot in the second half. Whatever Brian Ashton had said to them in the dressing room at half time, I wish he hadn’t bothered!

Italy managed the lion’s share of possession and territory in the second half, and two more pentalties for the Azzurri kept them in touch with England, 12-20. Then Ashton decided to bring on some replacements, and the team seemed to loose even more cohesion.

Richard Wigglesworth [left] was given his first cap at Scrum Half. And Danny Cipriani came on, only to have a clearance kick charged down by Simon Picone who then flew half way up the pitch to score under the posts – more or less uncontested by England’s defence. Bortolussi added the extra two points, pulling Italy back to 19-23.

So England’s fans were left with a couple of nervous minutes before the whistle blew, and Italy were still pushing and praying for a last-minute miracle. It was their best result against England in the 14 tests the two countries have played.

An England this sloppy will be put to the sword by France next time round, especially as the game is in Paris. They really must learn to play like they did in the first half – for the whole 80 minutes – or they will be heading for another pasting.

Six Nations Game 1 – Ireland vs Italy (16-11)

After their disappointing performance in the World Cup last autumn, Ireland were out to prove they can play decent rugby. The game took a while to get going, but around ten minutes, Ireland managed to put together a few phases and attack the Italian line, but the Azzurri turned the ball over to save a try. Ireland managed a penalty a few minutes later, taken by Ronan O’Gara [left]. Then Ireland threw away another scoring opportunity when Geordan Murphy put a poor pass over to Girvan Dempsey, and Italy gathered.

Ireland got a scrum, and the ball was passed across several hands when it reached O’Gara, who punted a great cross-field kick to Andrew Trimble, who then passed to fullback Girvan Dempsey to finish it off. O’Gara took the extras, taking him to 400 points in the Championship.

Eoin Reddan [right] was making his first Six Nations start, and looked pretty sharp, providing quick ball to O’Gara and sniping at the scrum. Peter Stringer has made the green No.9 jersey his own for many a year, so Reddan definitely has a tough job to break into the team permanently. Similarly, Italy’s permanent fixture at Hooker, Alessandro Troncon, has now retired, and the Azzurri were giving Leonardo Ghiraldini his second cap.

Italy’s lineout was working well, compared to the Irish; Rory Best didn’t have his best day at the office. Towards the break, Santiago Dellape was sent to the bin for punching, but the remaining 14 Italians threw everything at the Irish defence. Their reward was a penalty, and they went in at half time 10-3.

Straight after half time, Reddan made a lovely break and it looked like a try was inevitable, but Ireland knocked on with the line beckoning. Later, Simon Easterby [left] spent ten minutes in the sinbin for playing the ball off his feet. Italy gained a penalty opportunity, but the kick went wide.

Around 55 minutes, Italy were pinged and O’Gara potted another 3 points easily. When Easterby came back on, Italy made a good break up the field and on the stroke of 60 minutes, they rolled a maul over the line. The video ref took an age to decide, but the score was good. Captain Sergio Parisse was the man closest to the ground. But David Bortolussi missed the conversion, and the score moved on to 13-8.

Italy were caught with hands in the ruck in the 65th minute, which was a gift of another 3 points for Ronan O’Gara. And 3 minutes later, Ireland gave away a penalty themselves, which Bortolussi slotted over.

Both teams kept fighting for the last ten minutes, but the final score stood at 16-11. Italy certainly didn’t discrace themselves this time round – their lineout was solid – they only lost one all afternoon, certainly better than the Irish lineout which looked shakey at times. O’Gara missed a late penalty which was quite unusual from him – it wasn’t a particularly difficult shot.

As usual, the Italian forwards were very physical, and there were plenty of big hits put in. Ronan O’Gara bossed the Irish team reasonably well, but they looked a bit shakey – less than convincing. The bright spark for them was Eoin Reddan, who proved himself to be a great option at 9 – he made some lovely runs at the breakdown and distributed well. I’m sure he’ll be seen in a green shirt again very soon, and fully deserved his Man of the Match award.

[Eoin Reddan, Ireland's Man of the Match in action for Wasps last season]

The rain lashed down in St Etienne, so it was never going to be a wide, expansive game. Kicking and a forward grunt were on the cards – not pretty, but effective in those conditions.

The Scots got the early advantage when Italy gave away two penalties – Chris Patterson’s metronomic boot punishing the Italians all evening. The Azzurri didn’t do themselves any favours when Mauro Bergamasco, Italy’s Openside, was sent to the bin for preventing a try. Scotland went for the lineout, but Sergio Parisse bundled them into touch.

A few minutes later, the Italians made up for their man disadvantage from a scrum; the ball worked upfield via a huge kick from Ramiro Pez, a ruck formed on the line and Captain Alessandro Troncon [right] snuck over the line for a converted try. The points fired up the Azzurri, who forced a long range penalty which was wonderfully struck by David Bortolussi to take them 6-10 up.

Rory Lamont [left] had a nasty clash with Andrea Masi, but they both recovered after some medical attention. However, Lamont was substituted by Hugo Southwell a few minutes later. The next two chances for points fell to the Italians, but they were unable to make them count. First, Ramiro Pez missed a drop goal, which went wide. A few minutes later, Bortolussi missed a penalty from just inside the halfway line.

Scotland’s control of the game was not going to plan, although Dan Parks [right] had put in some immense kicks for territory. At 31minutes, he was felled by a high tackle from Troncon, and Paterson slotted the penaltyy from 40m out. So Scotland were only trailing by one point. Three minutes later, Paterson did it again, to take a 12-10 lead. The Scots in the crowd went wild. Just before the break, Parks missed a long range drop goal, but Scotland were still able to go into the dressing room with the psychological advantage.

Italy came out in the second half looking the more determined. Bortolussi had a chance at a penalty from out wide in the 43rd minute – it was good for accuracy but just fell short. The Scottish lineout was functioning well, with Jim Hamilton taking securely and disrupting the Azzurri from time to time. The Scots won another penalty in the Italian half, which Chris Paterson could have kicked in his sleep, to take them 15-10 up. The Italians indiscipline continued to trouble them, and Paterson added yet another penalty in the 53rd minute to keep his kicking record at 100% – not just for this game, but for the whole tournament.

Then Nathan Hines was binned for taking out an Italian with a high tackle. David Bortolussi clawed back another three point from the deficit to take the score to 18-13. Saracens’ Fabio Ongaro [right] came on for the Azzurri at 54, in place of Carlo Festuccia. He made an immediate impact at the set piece and in the loose. Pez’s kicking was also improving, and Italy began to dominate. At 61 minutes, the Scots collapsed a maul, and Bortolussi took the points from out wide.

The last twenty-odd minutes saw plenty of endeavour from both sides, but no more points. The scoreboard stuck at 18-16 to Scotland. Italy had an opportunity at goal in the 77th minute, after the Scots came in from the side of a ruck. Crucially, Bortolussi was unable to take the points – something that coach Pierre Berbizier will no doubt rue for a long time.

So the Scots make it through to the quarterfinals, to face either Ireland or Argentina, neither of whom will be a pushover.

Six Nations Game 13 – Italy vs Ireland (24-51)

Italy stole Ireland’s first lineout, but the next green throw-in was good. Then Italy turned over Irish ball, made a canter upfield but it went out into touch over the try line.

Soon after, Ireland were making great headway up the field when Sergio Parisse made a massive hit on Girvan Dempsey [left], which had the crowd gasping. Five minutes in, and Ireland were givena a penatly, which Ronan O’Gara duely punted over, 0-3 to the hosts

In the first few minutes, Italy seemed to have control of scrum and lineout, but are prone to giving away penalties. However, Italy were pushing the Irish line through loads of phases. They couldn’t be breached, but Ramiro Pez saw his opportunity and dropped a lovely goal to level the score 3-3.

Ireland stole an Italian lineout, Simon Easterby [right] taking off with the ball in the Irish 22, but he was caught holding on. Pez took the points, 6-3.

Sixteen minutes in, Dempsey broke free and went over in the corner for a lovely try. Marco Bortolami didn’t stand much of a chance chasing the fullback. O’Gara’s conversion from way out wide drifted off course at the last minute, so Ireland just took five points to make it 6-8.

Ireland’s scrums weren’t going well, but they stole an Italian scrum in Ireland’s half, David Wallace [left] turning it over at the back of the scrum. They then ran up the field, passing through several hands before Simon Easterby went over in the opposite corner. O’Gara again missed the conversion, but they were ahead 6-13.

Italy came back straight after, but their attack looked rather predictable. Eventually they got a rolling maul going, Ireland infringed, and Italy had a chance to claw back a few points. Pez did the honours to make it 9-13.

Just before the half hour, Italy had possession but weren’t making a lot of progress, Pez was in the pocket and pinged another sweet drop goal to encroach again on Ireland’s lead, pinning it back to one point 12-13.

The men in green promptly botched their next lineout and Italy stole the ball. They worked it up field into the Irish half, but Ireland turned them over. Several phases saw the ball move towards the Italian line.

The last few minutes before half time were pretty scrappy from Ireland. Just on the half way, Ireland gave away a penalty, but this time Pez’ boot just pushed it wide.

Then Ireland made amends with a break to take Gordon D’Arcy [right] over the line. The replay showed what looked like a forward pass in the immediate phases before, but none of the officials picked it up, so the try was allowed to stand. O’Gara added the points from the boot, and the Irish went in at half time with a 12-20 lead.

In the second half, Ireland’s first lineout wasn’t straight, and Italy won possession from th scrum. They moved up to the 5m line, when Ireland knocked on, to another scrum was set with the Azzurri to put in. Denis Hickey managed to intercept an Italian pass, and chipped ahead. Blue and green chased, but a blue shirt managed to land on it before green could ground for a try. Ireland gained possession from the restart. They then had a quick tap and go penalty and all of a sudden, Girvan Dempsey was over again just under the posts. O’Gara slotted the points and Ireland began to turn the screw, making it 12-27. They needed points badly to have any chance of winning the championship.

Around fifty minutes, there was a lovely Irish chip ahead, but Brian O’Driscoll [left] knocked on inches from the line. Italy secured their scrum ball and cleared to touch. Ireland won the lineout, spun it out wide, and cut loose sending Shane Horgan over in the corner. O’Gara’s boot sent it wide, making the score 12-32.

Then the forwards had a go, mauling to the line. They came up just short but shipped it out to the backs, Denis Hickey going out wide for Ireland’s sixth try. O’Gara’s conversion just shaded through the posts.

Ireland had a scrum put in close to their own line, they won ball and the centres broke free, flying up the pitch. A kick ahead was chased by Ronan O’Gara [right] who grounded it confidently and promptly converted it too, to make it 12-46. Brian O’Driscoll limped off with 20 minutes to go, but his team were looking like romping away and setting a huge score for France to chase in Paris, if they want to win the Championship.

The Italians slowed their haemerage of points a little, and kept possession for some minutes, frustrating Irish attempts at cutting loose any more. Then, with five minutes to go, Captain Marco Bortolami [left] took a high cross-field kick and just crashed over the line for a late Italian consolation try. Scanavacca’s kick just went wide, leaving the score at 17-46.

With just three minutes left, Denis Hickey cut loose and scored Ireland’s 8th try. O’Gara failed to convert again, so the score stood at 17-51. D’Arcy was named Man of the Match. Even as the clock went into
the red, Ireland kept the ball alive and were going for another score, with three tap and go penalties being allowed, two for Ireland and one for Italy. Roland de Marigny manged to go over in the last seconds, the decision went to the Video ref as it looked like a double movement. It was allowed, after several reruns to deliberate. Scanavacca added the two points with the boot and Jonathan Kaplan blew up for full time, 24-51.

That gave France a target of 24 points to chase for the Champoinship.

Or, read my ten word review.

Six Nations Game 11 - Italy vs Wales (23-20)

Wales won possession at the kickoff, but the boot of Ramiro Pez put them back in their own half pretty quickly. They needed to have a good game, having plaid three and lost all three.

Italy made the first break and went over the line, but the ball was thrown forward at the last pass. It would have been a dream for Pratichetti, making his first start for the Azzurri.

Wales wobbled at the early scrums. The Italian pack were lighter, but they can scrum a lot of folks into the ground. After eight minutes, Pez was given the opportunity to kick for three points, but at over 55m it fell slightly short. Wales infringed again a few minutes later, and Pez had an easier kick for goal, and the aim was true. First points to Italy, 3-0.

Alessandro Troncon [right] was making his 93rd appearance for the Azzurri, a gnarled old Italian warrior.

Wales had a chance after thirteen minutes, Mirco Bergamasco just landing on the ball over the line ahead of a Welsh jersey. A Welsh scrum on the Italian 22 came to naught when they were found crossing. Pez punted the free kick well into the Welsh half for an attacking lineout.

In the first quarter, Italy certainly looked the brighter prospect – and spent more time in Wales’ half. When the Reds infringed again, Pez took another three points, making them 6-0 up.

Gonzalo Canale took a bit hit to the leg and went off shortly afterwards. A replacement came on in the pack an Mauro Bergamasco went to cover the midfield duties.

Italy were pushing the Welsh pack backwards at the scrum, but Wales eventually won some ball. James Hook made a lovelykick ahead which was gathered by Tom Shanklin who offloaded to Shane Williams [left], and the flyer was off. Stephen Jones added the extras to take a narrow lead, 6-7. Jones was the recipient of a flying punch a few minutes later, and went off to be stitched up. Mauro Bergamasco was the offender.

After half an hour, Wales brought down an Italian scrum, and the penalty kick gave the Azzurri good field position to attack the Welsh. The made scappy progress but still retained possession. They were turned ovcer just in front of the posts, then Italy turned Wales over, but gave away a penalty shortly after.

Wales snaffled a scrum five minutes before half time, and went for a break. Hook made some good ground, but the support was lacking. Italy turned them over and a kick behind left Kaine Roberston [left] to run against Ian Gough – the No. 14 gathered a kind bounce and made it over the line. Pez then did the honours, giving them a 13-7 lead just before the break.

Wales started brightly in the second half, first with a penalty from James Hook, then Matthew Rees, the Welsh Hooker, sneaking over next to the posts. Hook converted, and Wales took the lead, 13-17.

Then at 50 minutes, Wales infringed and Italy kicked for the corner. A catch and drive was on, and the Italian forwards rumbled towards the line. However, Italy were caught accidentally offside, and Italy tried their utmost to disrupt the resulting Welsh scrum. The Reds weren’t put off, and won a lineout shortly after. Then the Azzurri gave away a penalty, Hook did the honours, taking them seven points clear, 13-20.

All of a sudden, the Blues were all over the Welsh line, and the forwards kept pushing, inch by inch. Meanwhile, the Azzurri backs were yelling for the ball, and Wales desperately tried to defend. The ball went to ground, but Italy won the scrum at 5m. It had to be reset, and it came out and they threw it wide to the backs. Still the Welsh defended, Italy creeping closer again. Italy were accidentally offside again, and the impetus was lost.

Wales had the put in at the scrum on 5m, but the Italians kept pushing. The clearance kick went down into blue hands. Italy were still in the Welsh half, when Ryan Jones gave away a penalty. Pez kicked for the corner, giving them a 10m lineout.

However, they were going backwards, and Wales got a lineout in the Italian half. Hook sliced through the midfield, but weren’t able to pass to the attacking men.

The last fifteen minutes were pretty scrappy. but it was mainly Italy in the Welsh half. Then, once the boot was on the other foot, Wales made a forward pass. During time out, there were bodies all over the place. It certainly looked like a hard-faught battle.

With ten minutes to go, Italy stole a lineout. There were several phases until Wales gave a penalty in front of the posts. Pez opted to kick the points, and his aim was good. Italy 16-20.

Italy won possession from the restart, but then Wales knocked it into touch. The Italian’s possession was disrupted just over the half way line, and they were awarded a penalty. This time, they opted for the corner with five minutes to go.

The Azzurri’s lineout was solid, and the forwards went driving with a massive push. They were stopped 3m short. Then 2m. The red line was straining not be be breached. Still the Italains drove on. Then Troncon spun it out wide, a chip ahead and Mauro Bergamasco grounded the ball just under the posts. Pez added another two, and the Stadio Flaminio went mental. Italy 23-20 with three minutes to go.

Wales kept possession from the restart, and pushed into the Italian half. Then the Welsh won a penalty. Massive decision with 10 seconds left! It was punted into the corner, but there was some messing about, and Chris White blew up for full time. Cue pandemonium – from the Italian supporters celebrating their win, and from the Welsh players, feeling they were robbed of the opportunity to pull ahead.

My heart was pounding – and I’m an independent observer! Well done to the Azzurri for their first back to back win.

Or read my ten word review.

Six Nations Game 7 – Scotland vs Italy (17-37)

Twenty seconds and the Italians were off! Godman’s chip was intercepted by Mauro Bergamasco who slid in under the posts and Scanavacca converted. All of a sudden, the Scots were stunned and on the back foot. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Cusiter’s pass was intercepted by Scanavacca and he put it under the posts too! The Azzuri were 14 points up after only five minutes. Then it got worse! Another wayward pass and another intercept – clinically finished off by Kaine Robertson [right]. The boot added the extras and then it was 0-21 to Italy.

Not the sort of start that Lock Scott Murray would want for his record-equalling 82nd cap, to tie with Gregor Townsend. And not the sort of start the Murrayfield crowd were expecting – boos rang around.

A chink of light for the Scots on 12 minutes – Rob Dewey managing to get over the line and Paterson’s boot gaining the extra two points. Then they were only two tries down.

Italy were pushing the Scottish defence again, and were five yards out, when Simon Taylor appeared to foul Roland de Marigny and Taylor was off to the bin for ten. Despite the disparity, Scotland made a concerted effort at attacking the Azzurri’s line. But the blues kept pushing them backwards, no matter what they did.

Italy got themselves offside and Scotland decided to kick for the corner. Having won the lineout, Dougie Hall was pushed into touch just short of the line. Another lineout ended with Scottish hands losing the ball forward, so it was an Italy scrum with only seven Scots to push back. The scrum collapsed and Italy had a penalty. They kicked the points to make it 7-24.

They pushed the ball into the Scottish half, then won their lineout and mauled a good few yards up the pitch. Ultimately coming to nothing. The Scots begin to settle down and survive Taylor’s ten in the bin without condeding any more points.

Just after the half hour, Scotland appeared to be making more moves and progress up the pitch. But a knock forward gave Italy a scrum. The Scottish lineout seemed to be one of the few parts of the game which worked ok, but they didn’t get very far with the subsequent drives. They just couldn’t seem to make any headway, despite attacking the Azzurri’s line. For the final play of the half, Paterson decides to kick a penalty (at long last) rather than trying for more points via the corner. So they went in 10-24.

Scotland kicked off the second half to the strains of Loch Lomond from the crowd. Hadden must have had stern words in the changing room at half time.

A botched Scottish lineout gave Italy some possession, but they lost it forward. The ball changed hands several times from the scrum, eventually, Scotland took a quick penalty and ran the ball – but Phil Godman’s pass to Hugo Southwell was slightly forward.

Euan Murray [left] was taken off for a blood injury for a few minutes, but came back on fairly quickly. He kept having the nose dabbed in subsequent breaks.

Frank Hadden made wholesale changes from the bench with thirty minutes to go, but it was the Azzurri who still seemed to be making the headway. Then Italy lost the ball, Ally Hogg kicked half way down the pitch and Sean Lamont [right] won the chase, but it was pushed into touch. Several phases later and Lamont got them to within five meters of the line. Italy infringed, and Paterson chose to go for the corner instead of the three points.

Their attack always seemed to fall back at the last minute. The Scottish backs had another opportunity from lineouts, but squandered it. They Scots did manage to steal an Italian lineout in their half, but further phases and Nathan Hines knocked on.

Italian coach Pierre Berbizier brought on his front row replacements with just over twenty minutes to go, including Saracen Fabio Ongaro [left].

A minute later, Cusiter offloaded from the back of a scrum and Chris Paterson saw a gap. He was off. And converted his own score. Scotland had a lifeline and the score was a more respectable 17-24. The restart wasn’t taken by anyone, and then Italy won a lineout close to the Scottish line. The Scots were forced to defend and Troncon lost it forward at the back of a ruck, 3m off the line.

The subsequent scrum was a mess for Scotland, and it was Italy’s feed 3m out again. Scotland went to ground at the next scrum and Scanavacca kicked the penalty to go 17-27. With barely fifteen minutes to go, Scotland needed to do something special, and they promptly messed up the restart catch and it went into touch.

Italy’s lineout deep in Scotland’s territory was won, and then Troncon steered his forwards for a trundling maul. Scotland brought it down, winning another penalty, but it was reversed when an Italian was seen using the boot on the ground. No points gained though, and soon after, the Scots gave away another penalty at a ruck. This time, it was kickable and Scanavacca duely punted it over for 17-30.

After the restart, the Italian forwards went on a decent drive, Roberston’s kick ahead just went into touch, but the Scottish lineout was won messily again. A few phases later, and Italy were attacking the Scots’ tryline again. Wave after wave, and it was up to the video ref to agree that Alessandro Troncon [right] had scored. Duely converted by Scanavacca, the hearts of the Scottish fans were heavy and the Italians were singing in the stands. He was well-deserved Man of the Match too.

For the last three minutes, Scotland tried the damnedest to break the Italian defence, and got up to the 5m line. They won a penalty close in, and Scotland batt
ered the defence again – 1m short of the line. Blue shirts were all over them. Eventually, they were bundled into touch, Italy won their lineout and the countdown was on. Quite why Italy replaced Scanavacca with 4 seconds left on the clock is anybody’s guess. Perhaps he was the only one left on the bench! Scotland tried to get a consolation score in the dying moments, but it was knocked forward and the Italians went wild at the final 17-37 score.

So, a momentous first away victory for the Azzurri, and well deserved it was too. I’m really pleased for them, they seem to have been the tournament’s whipping boys for so long, but it’s great to see them finally getting some reward for their hard work and commitment. Must be a hard day to be a Scotland supporter, though.

Or read my ten word review.