Louis Lynagh and Tommaso Menoncello scored for Italy, while fly-half Paolo Garbisi added eight points from the tee in rain-soaked conditions; Scotland tried to reduce the deficit to within three points through Jack Dempsey, George Horne but failed to avoid defeat in Rome

Tommaso Menoncello scored one of Italy’s two tries as Six Nations beat Scotland in Rome

Scotland started the 2026 Six Nations in the worst possible way, losing 18-15 to Italy in heavy rain in Rome.

Winger Luis Lehner and center Tommaso Menoncello scored for Italy, while flyback Paolo Garbisi contributed a shot and two penalties.

Scotland, who trailed by two points for much of the game, scored two tries through number eight Jack Dempsey and substitute scrum-half George Horne, while Finn Russell contributed a try and a penalty.

But Gregor Townsend’s Scotland saw substitute George Turner sent off in the second half but failed to complete the comeback and lost by three points in the Italian capital.

The game got off to a rocky start, with both sides losing their opening line-outs, with Scotland in a strong position in the last 22 of Italy before conceding their second line-out.

Lorenzo Cannone’s penalty shootout win gave Italy the lead and the hosts struck for the first time in the eighth minute, with Lynagh setting up a superb kick from Juan Ignacio Brex.

Louis Lynagh opened the scoring for Italy with a cross in the eighth minute

Italy were soon under pressure after failing to win against Scotland when Paolo Garbisi’s shot went wide of the post, before a scrum penalty was imposed.

However, Scotland’s chance was ended when their subsequent lineout in the last 22 was again intercepted by Italy.

Instead, Italy scored with their second try later, with Lehner rising to meet Alessandro Fusco’s high kick and making a stunning catch over his head, with play spreading to the left and athletic center Menoncello sprinting in to score from the corner.

Menoncello (right) scored the second goal for Italy and the team led 12-0

Garbisi made it 12-0 this time, but when the Italian team was offside, the Scottish team launched a direct counterattack, and Finn Russell kicked the ball into the corner and performed a five-meter lineout attack.

Scotland’s possession once again became chaotic (the ball spilled backwards) but it was crucial for the visitors to maintain possession to continue the attack. A serious officiating error by Ben O’Keeffe saw Italy flanker Manuel Zuliani go unpunished for an apparent strike penalty, which Scotland back-row Dempsey then stepped over.

Scotland back-row Jack Dempsey scores first-half goal to send Scotland into Test match

Russell made it 12-7, but after visiting captain Sione Tuipulotu was knocked down for blocking, Italy took a corner kick and forced Garbisi’s penalty to extend the lead to 15-7 – Italy’s No. 10 missing a goal after taking the lead directly.

When the first half ended in heavy rain, Garbisi missed the goal again.

Menoncello produced a brilliant long-range strike early in the second half but Italy missed a try as Scotland’s scrapping defense did well enough.

The visitors lost their first three lineouts after the break – the third from five meters out – but Scotland did take three points through Russell.

Scotland winger Jamie Dobie restarted and Italy restored their two-point lead when hooker Ewan Ashman latched on to Zuliani’s high post to add a third.

In extremely wet conditions, testing is more about mistakes and kicking

Russell restarted play straight away, but the Italian’s commitment ended with Lehner’s neck-twisting effort on George Turner.

Turner was soon sent off for a shoulder challenge on Zuliani but Italy failed to score further inside 10 minutes against one man less.

It proved significant as Italy were soon penalized for offside when a clear obstruction from wing Monty Ioane was missed.

Scotland took a corner and Horn slipped in to score within moments, leaving most of the rest of the field stranded.

Russell’s shot went wide to reduce the gap to three points, and although Scotland narrowly advanced to the last 22 in Italy after 29 last-minute attacks, Italy secured a deserved victory with a tackle.

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest sports news, videos, features, analysis and more

Tuipulotu: Defeat is frustrating | Ramaro: This win will give us confidence moving forward

Scotland captain John Tuipolotu told BBC Sport:

“It’s very frustrating, we made it too easy for them to score in the beginning and then it was very difficult to score in those situations.

“The fault was ours, our offense was too loose and they ended up adjusting better than us and that’s our responsibility.”

Italy captain Michele Ramaro told BBC Sport:

“This team, this jersey and my heart, we come here to play games like this and we train hard for the joy of doing it.

“It’s an honor to get this big achievement, Scotland are such a great team and we know what they can do.

“Being able to beat a team like that gives us a lot of confidence.”

What to do next?

Scotland will face England in their second Six Nations match at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Saturday 14 February (kick-off 4.40pm).

Italy will face Ireland in the second round of the Six Nations on Saturday 14 February at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (kick-off 2.10pm).