Italy's heroic defense stops Scotland's last-gasp charge for Six Nations win

“Absolutely incredible,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said of his team's last defensive set. “Just shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, this country. This is us. The last set was absolutely outstanding.”

Italy notched only a 17th win in Six Nations history and a ninth win against Scotland, which sets it on a path to avoid the wooden spoon for an unprecedented third straight year.

Italy's win was not a surprise and neither was Scotland's defeat, another deflating result for a side that hasn't contended for the title in decades.

The buildup focused on Scotland's last-quarter collapses but it was a slow first-quarter start which hurt it this time. Italy was 12-0 up in light rain before the game was hit by torrential downpours, turning the field into a splash zone. Scotland scored more in the wet, even despite a yellow card, but gave Italy too big a start.

For the first time since 2019, Scotland began a Six Nations match without at least one of back-three regulars Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn, and it wasn't controversial. Coach Gregor Townsend replaced them with form picks but Italy exposed the new back three's naivety in defense with two head-up tries inside 14 minutes.

First, Juan Ignacio Brex grubbered into wide open space for winger Louis Lynagh to scoop and slide in. Then Lynagh took a high ball from scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco and Fusco's miss-out pass gave Tommaso Menoncello an overlap to score untouched. Paolo Garbisi added the sideline conversion.

Scotland's lineout was also failing. The visitor had three lineouts in Italy's 22 in the first quarter. The first two were pinched and the third wasn't gathered properly. But Scotland did a tap and go and No. 8 Jack Dempsey crashed over.

Italy finished the rest of the half on top. Garbisi landed a penalty for 15-7 but badly missed two drop-goal attempts, and the scrum sent Scotland reeling backwards.

Scotland earned the first points of the second half from a Finn Russell penalty despite a fifth stolen lineout.

Poor discipline also undermined them. A relieving penalty on defense was overturned from Ewan Ashman's high tackle on Italy's Manuel Zuliani. Garbisi kicked the resulting penalty to restore an eight-point lead.

Ashman was replaced at hooker by George Turner who, moments later, nailed Zuliani's head in a ruck, received a yellow card and canceled a kickable penalty for Scotland.

Italy failed to score a point while it had a man advantage, and as soon as Scotland was restored to 15 men it scored.

Scotland waived off another kickable penalty for a corner lineout, and claimed it cleanly. Three backs joined the maul which wheeled to the blindside, and replacement scrumhalf George Horne darted inside the right corner flag. Russell couldn't convert from the touchline but the gap was cut to three with 12 minutes to go.

Italy had a kickable penalty in the 78th but elected for a corner lineout and knocked on. That gave Scotland one last shot in the rain. But it couldn't convert.

Scotland hosts England next weekend, and Italy goes to Ireland.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby