ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Scotland grind out victory with late try against Italy in Turin

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Monday Aug 24, 2015

After suffering a narrow defeat to Ireland in their first World Cup warm up match last week, Scotland bounced back to beat Italy 16-12 in Turin in a nervy and uninspiring encounter. 

Head coach Vern Cotter made 11 changes to the side that played in Dublin, while Italy were playing their first match since the end of the Six Nations in March.

Among the changes for the Scots was Highlanders flanker John Hardie, who was only called up by Cotter in July. The 27 year-old Kiwi impressed throughout, making several big tackles and being very active at the breakdown.

Despite dominating the opening 40 minutes, Scotland had to make do with being pegged back to 9-9 at the half-time break. Two Duncan Weir penalties gave the visitors an early lead before Italy – through kickers Gonzalo Garcia and Tommaso Allan – responded.

The second half was a shadow of the first in terms of both quality and accuracy. Allan’s third penalty gave the home side the lead for the first time on 61 minutes.

Denied a try despite a driving maul breaching the Scottish line, Italy conceded in the closing stages as Henry Pyrgos finished off a well taken counter-attacking try for Scotland. 

Winger Sean Lamont made use of scrappy ball to put Greig Tonks into space. The full back then released Matt Scott down the wing before the centre gave scrum-half Pyrgos an easy walk-in. Weir converted and Scotland secured the victory with a final minute scrum penalty.

Speaking of the strength of character displayed by his side in challenging circumstances: Scotland struggled to keep composure and accuracy in the second period – Cotter was happy with the way the team grinded out victory.

“We wanted a hard game and we got that,” he said. “It was not an easy game, very physical. We are happy with a few things. It was a reasonable performance, not perfect and could have gone either way.”

Both sides must now focus their attentions on the re-match at BT Murrayfield this Saturday 29 August, kick-off 3.15pm. The meeting in Edinburgh will be the last competitive weekend before all sides’ final Rugby World Cup squads have to be announced on 31 August.  

Scotland have annoucned that seven players have been released from the wider training squad: Glasgow’s Mike Cusack and Kevin Bryce, along with Edinburgh quintet Dougie Fife, Ben Toolis, Damien Hoyland, Allan Dell and Hamish Watson will all return to their clubs.

credit: rugby channel

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 258 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All