Scotland 31-19 Italy: The Talking Points

From as far back as 2000 up until, say, this time last year, Scotland against Italy in the Six Nations has never been the most flattering of fixtures for Scotland (World Class Phil anyone?). Even now that Scotland are considered a good team (outside of Ireland). Italy, let’s not forget, are also now a “good” team.

But in the end, Scotland were worth the five point victory against an Italian side that looked very similar to the record-breaking 2024 edition who picked up two wins and a draw – but didn’t quite play like them on the opening Saturday of the 2025 Six Nations.

Scotland found a way out of jail

At 19-19 with Finn throwing interception tries and Scottish runners struggling up blind alleys, it looked worryingly like a repeat of pretty much every crap Scotland result in the last decade: where they disappear halfway through a decent performance, only to spend the final minutes of the game chasing a try that will undeservedly give them the win.

Luckily since the Autumn this Scotland team look like they have built some kind of mental resilience from all those similar performances and the bad spot turned out to be just 15 to 20 minutes just after half time. Spurred on by Darcy Graham, they found the way back into the game and then dominated Italy defensively at the end to keep the visitors from a losing bonus point. The worry is that the half-time motivational speeches – whoever is delivering them – are not having a particularly good effect on Scotland. The positive is that the onfield leadership of Darge and Rusell coupled with some strong showings off the bench was able to sort it within the game.

The one team Scotland cannot consistently get back into games against?

Why, it’s Ireland of course.

Finn Russell was way off the mark, but that’s okay

It was probably quite helpful that Finn had something of an off game against Italy. We’re used to seeing him have “quiet” games these days, but luckily the brain-fart type games have largely been consigned to the “maverick” era. This was as close as we’ve seen in a while though, with the obvious low point being the Brex interception try. The more mature Finn doesn’t tend to have those games back to back so the chances are he will be focused and switched on for the visit of Ireland next weekend. Exactly where we need him to be.

The lack of Tuipulotu at inisde centre does highlight the weaknesses in Scotland’s attack when Finn has an off day, as a lot more pressure is put on 13 to 15 to create things without him. Luckily we have Darcy Graham and Huw Jones in fine form who were up to the task, but will be given a lot less breathing room by the men in green who also tend to smother Duhan very effectively.

Rory Darge is about to become “massively underrated”

This is code for: he’s in the form of his life, approaching his peak as a player, captaining his country and could well drive the side forward over the next few months; yet given the wealth of riches across the Home Nations in the back row, he’s probably still not going to get picked for the British and Irish Lions by Andy Farrell. At which point he would probably become “massively overrated” by everyone else whose favourite back row did not get picked.

Speaking of the Lions, Huw Jones did his credentials for a first tour no harm with a barnstorming display picking up three tries and Player of the Match along the way. One place inside him Stafford McDowell was solid but not quite at the level of Sione Tuipulotu, the man he replaced. Tom Jordan’s effectiveness off the bench will give Townsend pause for thought. He maybe perceived as lightweight in comparison to Sione but is the closest thing to a like for like replacement in terms of physicality and ball playing skill. He also won’t be scared of Bundy Aki. McDowall played very well against Ireland last year though, so it is a tough selection to make.

As usual the pack has work to do

There are still fairly large questions about Johnny Gray’s form and fitness. After a decent opening, well, ten minutes, the stalwart of the row looked a little rusty and while the lineout was pretty good, the set pieces will come under a massive amount of pressure next weekend from Ireland. The pack will need to be up to full sharpness. Sam Skinner has been called into the squad this week which is possibly a further sign that experience is valued by Gregor Townsend over the fresher second rows who we have available.

I would argue we’ve got a Lions quality back line (midweek certainly at worst) from 9 to 15, but they can’t do anything against physical sides without the pack getting them moving forward. We’ve seen it against South Africa and we’ve seen it for the last decade against Ireland.

Scotland’s forwards will need to front up in a massive way so in terms of attack the backs can keep doing what they have been doing, all without those forehead-slapping mistakes that mean precious chances go untaken. Jack Dempsey should come in for Jamie Ritchie as the principle ball-carrier in that regard; depedning on the makeup of the bench it’s liekly to be a straight swap.

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