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Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 22, 2014 at 1.30pm UK
 
Italy
20-21
Scotland
Allan (40'), Furno (70')
FT
Dunbar (53', 67')

Live Commentary: Italy 20-21 Scotland - as it happened

Live coverage of the Six Nations match between Italy and Scotland at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
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A last-gasp drop goal from Duncan Weir has given Scotland their first win of this year's Six Nations campaign, beating Italy 21-20 in Rome this afternoon.

A first-half try from former Scotland under-21 Tommaso Allan gave the home side a 13-3 lead at the break.

However, Alex Dunbar scored twice in the second half before Weir split the posts in the final minute of the match.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon! It's around half-an-hour until kickoff at the Stadio Olimpico, where Scotland and Italy will both be looking for their opening win of the tournament. Let's take a look at the lineups for this afternoon's game...

ITALY STARTING XV: McLean, Esposito, Campagnaro, Garcia, Sarto, Allan, Gori, Di Marchi, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Furno, Zanni, Barbieri, Parisse

SCOTLAND STARTING XV: Hogg, Seymour, Dunbar, Scott, Lamont, Weir, Laidlaw, Grant, Lawson, Low, Gray, Hamilton, Wilson, Fusaro, Beattie

ITALY REPLACEMENTS: Giazzon, Aguero, Cittadini, Bortolami, Derbyshire, Botes, Orquera, Iannone

SCOTLAND REPLACEMENTS: Ford, Dickinson, Cross, Swinson, Denton, Cusiter, Taylor, Evans

As ever, captain and number eight Sergio Parisse will be the danger man for the Italians, while Castrogiovanni and Campagnaro are sure to pose a threat as well. For Scotland, the presence of Richie Gray will be a boost, as he makes his first start of the campaign.

In their 21 previous meetings, Scotland have claimed 14 wins over the Azzuri, including four of their last five. Italy do tend to play their best rugby at home though, so should pose more of a threat than they did at Murrayfield last year.

Scotland have struggled away from home in the Six Nations over the last couple of seasons. They're currently on an eight-game losing streak away from Murrayfield, with their last win coming against Ireland at Croke Park in 2010.

Rome in particular has not been a happy hunting ground for the Scots. Since Italy entered the tournament, they sides have met there seven times, with the hosts claiming the win five times.

Ahead of this afternoon's kickoff, Scotland head coach Scott Johnson told reporters: "The best way to close critics' mouths is to perform." His team selection for this tie caused some raised eyebrows, with captain Kelly Brown left out for the second game in a row, while David Denton also misses out, despite looking strong in their first two games of the tournament.

There's a decent amount of travelling support in Rome, with many Scottish fans in kilts, and one even bringing a set of bagpipes with him!

The players are making their way out ready for kickoff. Incidentally, this it Italy's first home game of the tournament, having started their campaign with defeats in Cardiff and Paris. The Italian fans have clearly been waiting to see their team, as there's a huge roar for the home team.

As with all Six Nations games, the anthems of both countries will be played before kickoff. As ever, the Italian national anthem is belted out enthusiastically by both the players and the fans.

With the pre-match formalities over, it's almost time for kickoff. Just one more piece of information before the match gets underway, Australian referee Steve Walsh takes charge of the game today.

KICKOFF! Scotland get the game underway.

Italy are off to a quick start, with a scrum inside Scottish territory, and manage to win a penalty when Laidlaw breaks his bind. Scotland's scrum has been pretty good so far in the Six Nations, but their lineout has struggled.

Italy's lineout has been one of their strongest features this year, but Scotland manage to steal it away, with Hamilton beating Zanni to the ball. The visitors get on the attack, passing the ball swiftly along the line to find Seymour out wide. He tried to chip and chase, but kicked the ball too far forward, losing the chance to score the opening try of the game. Plenty of early promise here for the Scots though.

Jim Hamilton wins the ball from an Italian lineout, but Luke McLean manages to win it back for Italy and kicks it deep. It looks like the pitch could be a problem this afternoon, with a huge roll forming under the scrum prior to the lineout. That could favour Scotland, as Murrayfield had similar conditions last week.

Campagnaro tries to intercept a long pass to the right intended for Wilson, but he can't keep hold of the ball, and Scotland manage to move into Italian territory, but a Hamilton knock on gives the home side the scrum. Scotland have probably had the stronger start in Rome, but a couple of mistakes have prevented them really causing problems for Italy.

Italy finally win one of their own lineouts, despite Scotland sending up the rather tall Richie Gray. McLean carries the ball downfield as the home side have sight of the Scottish try line for the first time, but Scotland are defending well.

In a frantic scramble for the line, Campagnaro spills the ball forward, but Italy have a penalty, and Allan will go for the posts.

PENALTY! Italy 3-0 Scotland (Allan)

The fly-half has struggled with his goalkicking so far this championship, but a simple chip over for the first points of the game will boost his confidence, as well as giving the Azzuri the lead.

There's a bit of a worry for the hosts as Castrogiovanni appears to have picked up a knock, but it looks like he'll be alright after a bit of attention from the team's medics.

Italy seem to have solved their early lineout issues, as they easily claim the ball before winning a penalty once Wilson comes in from the side. McLean fires the ball down field, so the hosts will have another lineout from a dangerous position.

Italy are starting to see a lot more of the possession now, and are continuing to force penalties. Scotland may regret not getting on the scoreboard when they were in control in the opening 15 minutes of the home side manage to find the opening try of the contest.

Scotland win the ball back, with Lamont and Dunbar leading the attack, and they force a penalty, so Laidlaw will have his first chance to add to the scores.

PENALTY! Italy 3-3 Scotland (Laidlaw)

With fine conditions in Rome, it's an easy kick for Laidlaw, who had a difficult game last time out in the blustery weather in Scotland.

Italy are looking sharp as they try to regain their lead, with Castrogiavanni taking the ball down to the Scottish 22 before Parrise tries to find a gap, but the ball is knocked out, so it will be a Scottish scrum.

The Italian scrum works hard, forcing Low to collapse the scrum, resulting in another penalty for the hosts. Meanwhile, Castrogiavanni is getting more treatment on his calf.

MISSED PENALTY! Allan scuffs his kick, and it drifts well wide of the right upright. It was from a similar position to his first, but he couldn't repeat his earlier accurate shot, continuing his inconsistent start to the Six Nations.

Scotland turn the ball over, and Weir charges towards the try line with Lamont outside him in support, but holds on to it himself for too long and loses possession when tackled.

Laidlaw is called over after Fusaro gives the Italians yet another penalty. Steve Walsh warns the captain that his players must go straight for the ball when tackling. Allan is lining up his third penalty attempt.

PENALTY! Italy 6-3 Scotland (Allan)

Tommaso Allan puts his poor miss from his previous attempt behind him to find the target again.

Gray gets the ball for Scotland and smashed his way inside the 22 before offloading it to Hogg. Lawson and Grant both try to get the better of the Italian defence, but the home side hold firm.

As Scotland can almost taste their first try of this year's Six Nations, Stuart Hogg tries to dash through a gap, but he knocks on to give Italy the scrum. That was a good chance for the visitors, but once again a little error has cost them.

Scotland concede their 10th penalty of the match, and Italy kick it forward for a lineout inside the Scottish 22.

Scotland set up a strong defensive line rather than challenging for the lineout, and it pays off as Furno gets forced into touch. However, Gray appears to have tweaked his neck during the play, and needs some attention from the Scottish physio.

TRY! Italy 11-3 Scotland (Allan)

From an Italian scrum, Parisse explodes forward before picking out Allan, who just has to reach over for the opening try of the match.

CONVERSION! Italy 13-3 Scotland (Allan)

HALF TIME: Italy 13-3 Scotland

Former Scotland under-21 international Tommaso Allan scores his first try for Italy to give the home side a 10-point lead at the break. The 20-year-old has scored all of the Azzuri's points so far in this match.

Scotland made a bright start in Rome, but were unable to capitalise from two stolen lineouts and some early territory before the hosts found their way back into the match.

The sound of bagpipes is filling the Stadio Olimpico at half time as the large Scottish contingent looks to rally their players for the second half.

The players are starting to head back out ready for the second half.

KICKOFF! The home side get the second half underway.

Scotland have started well as they look to get back into this match, patiently building inside Italy territory, with Weir and Wilson keeping the ball moving. However, a careless knock on gives Italy another scrum. This has really been the story of the afternoon for Scotland, promising, but error-strewn.

PENALTY! Italy 13-6 Scotland (Laidlaw)

Scotland are awarded a penalty directly in line with the posts after Italy collapse the scrum, and the captain easily makes it to leave the visitors just a converted try down.

Castrogiovanni is receiving treatment yet again. The big Italian has been hampered with a calf problem since the first half, and it's still causing him issues.

Scotland have another penalty from the scrum as Campagnaro is penalised for not staying square. Rather than going for another three points, the Scots boot it to the corner for a lineout just short of the tryline.

Hamilton and Dunbar both run at the Italy defence, but the home side remain strong at the back, before Gray finds a gap, and it just caught by Furno.

Gray gets it again as Scotland bear down on the try line. It's still the visitors ball, but yet again Furno makes a solid tackle to stop Gray breaking free. This is good patient play from the visitors, as long as they can avoid an error, they stand a chance of getting the try.

Furno manages to punch it free from Scottish hands, but a knock on gives it back to the visitors. Scotland are eventually awarded a penalty for a Italy knock on and take it quickly, trying to catch their opponents out. The captain flicks it out wide for Scott, but he loses his footing, and the chance goes begging. That was a brave decision, but it didn't pay off.

TRY! Italy 13-11 Scotland (Dunbar)

Scotland force the turnover while Italy are still inside their own territory, with Scott Lawson stealing the ball to set up Alex Lawson, who shows brilliant pace as he sprints for the try line and dives over to score Scotland's first try of the championship.

MISSED CONVERSION! Dunbar's wide grounding leaves Laidlaw with a difficult angle for the extra two, and he can't make the conversion to level the scores. Nevertheless, Scotland are right back in contention now.

Italy try to put the pressure back on Scotland with a series of quick passes, but a handling error almost costs them, but Allan manages to salvage a lineout. Campagnaro thinks that he manages to break free from the throw in, but he's called back for a knock on.

The home side are starting to ring the changes, sending on three replacements in their front row. Among those making way is Castrogiovanni, who will be a big loss for the hosts, but he has been struggling with a calf problem, which has stopped him being at his best in this match.

McLean mis-reads a Scottish kick forward and almost gifts the ball to Lamont on the edge of the Italy 22, but the scrum half just manages to keep hold of it.

Scotland look like they're trying to line up a drop goal, which would tie up the scores, but a pass intended for Weir is rushed and he's tackled before he can get his kick away. Scotland just manage to maintain possession, but some strong defence wins a scrum for Italy moments later.

Scotland make a number of changes including replacing Laidlaw with Cusiter.

Botes chips a dangerous ball forward for Italy, but the home side can't keep hold of it, and Hogg manages to kick it clear for the visitors. That's the first time Italy have really looked threatening in this second half, but Scotland dealt with it well.

Alex Dunbar makes a magnificant run from inside Scottish territory to score what may be his second try of the day, but the referee calls for a review.

TRY! Italy 13-16 Scotland (Dunbar)

Once the officials are happy that Cusiter's pass to Dunbar was not forward, the try is awarded, giving Scotland the lead for the first time today. That really was a spectacular run by Dunbar, showing impressive footwork to avoid two late tackles from the Italians.

CONVERSION! Italy 13-18 Scotland (Weir)

Weir, who takes over the kicking duties with Laidlaw off the pitch, easily adds the additional points to leave Italy needing a try.

McLean finds Sarto, who manages to break off a tackle to move into the Scottish 22, while Campagnaro also gets involved. This is dangerous for Scotland.

TRY! Italy 18-18 Scotland (Furno)

Scotland's defence has no answer for Italy's smooth passing play, and fail to spot Joshua Furno open on the wing, allowing him to score his first international try in the corner.

CONVERSION! Italy 20-18 (Orquera)

Luciano Orquera, who hasn't long come off the bench, finds the target with his first kick of the match to restore Italy's lead. That will be bitter for Scotland, who worked so hard to get themselves back into the match, only to lose their lead in a matter of minutes. In even worse news for the visitors, the scorer of both of their tries, Alex Dunbar, has picked up an injury, and has had to go off.

A big hit from Johnnie Beattie forces Parisse to knock on, giving Scotland the scrum. The visitors know that they have to get on with it, with just over five minutes left to play. It's passed out wide for Gray, who has been busy all game, but his pass to Max Evans fails to find its target, and Italy have a lineout.

Italy's lineout goes wrong, and Scotland pick up the loose ball before Weir wins a scrum. Italy need to be careful here, a penalty would be enough for Scotland to win the match.

Scotland have another scrum, but there's just over a minute left to play. This is going to be an all or nothing move for the visitors.

DROP GOAL! Italy 20-21 Scotland (Weir)

What a kick from Duncan Weir! The Italians try not to give the fly-half space , knowing that he might be looking for the drop goal, but he manages to break free, and boots it towards the posts. He celebrates before it even goes through the uprights, knowing that it was on target.

FULL TIME: Italy 20-21 Scotland

A superb second-half performance from Scotland, rounded off with a last-gasp Duncan Weir drop goal gives the visitors the narrowest of wins over Italy to give them their first win of the competition.

That's all from this match, but stick around for our match report and reaction, and join us again shortly for live coverage of England's match against Ireland at Twickenham. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.

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Sean Maitland of Scotland is tackled by Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on February 2, 2014
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