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Score |
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Dubbed by some the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, a win for both these teams will be huge this afternoon. Italy will want at least one win after making in roads in 2014, Scotland will just want a win full-stop. A fascinating afternoon awaits and this will be a perfect way to begin.
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| 1 |
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Scotland attacking left to right. Italy playing in a lovely, lovely change strip - a contender for one of the nicest kits in world rugby already.
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| 13 |
3 - 0 |
Tommaso Allan splits the posts with a nice kick slightly left of the posts and it's first blood Italy after a good spell of pressure.
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| 22 |
3 - 3 |
Nice reponse from the Scots. Patient work through the phases eventually forces a penalty and the ever-reliable Greig Laidlaw levels things up from the tee.
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| 31 |
6 - 3 |
Scotland pinged at the breakdown as their penalty count starts to rise and Allan needs no second invitation to restore Italy's lead from an almost identical positionto his earlier effort.
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| 33 |
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Scotland seem a lot more content to run at the Italians today. Seemed like they were shackled against Ireland and England. Try before half-time for either team would be a massive lift.
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| 39 |
11 - 3 |
Super work from Sergio Parisse, taking quick ball from a ruck and storming towards the try line. Scotland bring the big man down but the ball is recycled to none other than Tommaso Allan to dive over from close range and that could be a massive moment in this game.
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| 40 |
13 - 3 |
And Allan converts his own score and Italy's lead, which did look tight just a moment ago, suddenly looks strong and Scotland have 40 minutes to salvage this game.
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| 40 |
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Second half underway now. Massive 40 minutes for Scott Johnson and Scotland
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| 45 |
13 - 6 |
Scott Johnson's words at half-time will be ringing in Scotland's ears. Positive start to the second period and Laidlaw narrows the deficit from straight in front after an Italy infringement at the breakdown
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| 53 |
13 - 11 |
Great Scotland try just a minute after the introduction of David Denton. Scotland spread the ball wide quickly and Lion Stuart Hogg releases Alex Dunbar to sprint down the right flank and touch down in the corner. Laidlaw just wide with the conversion.
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| 60 |
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Super tempo to this game now. Scotland believe and Italy, though rattled, have been kicked into life slightly by that Dunbar score.
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| 67 |
13 - 18 |
Would you believe it? Scotland are in front. Super break from Scotland, started by a beautiful back-line play, a few lovely offloads, before Alex Dunbar wins a footrace to the line to score. Delay as the TMO awards the try but Scotland are 13 minutes away from a win.
Weir converts and Scotland lead by five.
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| 70 |
18 - 18 |
What a final ten minutes we have on our hands now. Italy respond brilliantly and find Scotland's defence wanting, they spread it wide and Parisse release Josh Furno to go over in the corner. Game on.
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| 72 |
20 - 18 |
Super conversion from Luciano Orquera. Out wide, in near-silence in Rome, the replacement holds his nerve and finds target and Italy are back in front.
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| 79 |
20 - 21 |
Incredible scenes. Scotland drive to Italy's 22, set up Weir right in front of the posts. There are no easy kicks in that situation but Weir nails it, running off in celebration almost as soon as it leaves his boot. A dramatic finish to what was a thrilling second half of rugby.
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