Scotland have hope of mounting a Six Nations title challenge as they embark on a fresh campaign against Italy.
While optimism has been punctured somewhat by a string of untimely injuries, Gregor Townsend’s settled squad are confident that they can build on their development over the last few years and back up big performances to challenge for a long-awaited title. In the absence of captain Sione Tuipulotu, all-action openside Rory Darge and star fly half Finn Russell lead the hosts into a first battle with a visiting team that enjoyed a tournament to remember in 2024.
Two wins and a draw last year marked Italy’s best performance in 25 years as a constituent part of this championship. Many of the faces remain the same as Gonzalo Quesada seeks yet more progress with belief that his side’s days scrabbling for the wooden spoon may be at an end. An opening weekend win in Edinburgh would be quite the statement of intent…
Follow all of the latest from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Scotland 14-0 Italy, 12 mins
Better from Italy as they attack and a clever kick through almost releases Brex. The Azzurri win the ball back but Menoncello knocks on – a bit of a lack of accuracy.
First scrum of the day, on the Scottish 22.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:29
TRY! Scotland 14-0 Italy (Huw Jones, 9 mins)
And a second try for Scotland! They go left, nice wraparound and Van der Merwe has room to run down the flank.
It looks like he might go for the corner but a mature decision, loops a pass inside to Huw Jones, off the hand of an Italian defender, and the centre canters over the line. Simple conversion from Russell and it’s all rosy in Scotland’s garden at the moment.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:26
Scotland 7-0 Italy, 8 mins
Well defended by Italy and eventually Scotland kick, with Ioane claiming a mark.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:24
Scotland 7-0 Italy, 7 mins
Italy try to settle after that early blow and engage in some kick tennis but they lose a lineout and Scotland suddenly have a chance to break as Kinghorn takes them over halfway.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:23
TRY! Scotland 7-0 Italy (Rory Darge, 4 mins)
And the try comes not long after! White feeds Rory Darge and he’s got three defenders draped on him but powers through them and stretches out for the try. Possible double movement when placing the ball? But that would have been nit-picky
Darge started the move by winning the turnover and he finishes it. Conversion added and it’s a perfect start
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:21
Scotland 0-0 Italy, 3 mins
Scotland inching forward, Fagerson and then Cherry move them within five metres. Penalty given away for offside, multiple players, and they tap and go!
Cherry charge to within a metre or so. Then to the backs, Russell to Kinghorn and he’s just brought down short
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:19
Scotland 0-0 Italy, 2 mins
Great breakdown work by Rory Darge to turn the ball over in midfield and the ball is then flung wide for Duhan van der Merwe to make 20 metres and into the 22.
Couple more phases, Schoeman carries and Scotland in prime position here
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:18
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-0 Italy
Underway in Edinburgh. Scotland kicking off their 2025 Six Nations campaign looking to prove they’re genuine title contenders
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:16
Fans ready for action in Edinburgh
The fans have turned out in force at Murrayfield. Not too long until kick-off now
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:12
Scotland v Italy
The teams are out on the Murrayfield turf. Plenty of formalities with Princess Anne (patron of the SRU) greeting the teams today.
Michele Lamaro introduces the members of the Italian side before Finn Russell does likewise for the Scots, all while the band play I would walk 500 miles. Lovely bit of pomp and circumstance
Luke Baker1 February 2025 14:08
