1
Vern Cotter signed off as Scotland head coach with a 29-0 bonus-point victory over a wasteful Italy in the Six Nations at Murrayfiled on Saturday.
The New Zealander will take the reins at Montpellier later this year, handing Scotland duties to Glasgow Warriors chief Gregor Townsend, but saw his side bounce back from last weekend’s 61-21 humiliation at the hands of England to give themselves every chance of securing second in this year’s championship.
Tries from Finn Russell and Matt Scott gave Scotland a 15-0 lead at the break, as Carlo Canna missed all three of his penalty attempts for Italy, before Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour touched down in the second half.
The result moves Scotland on to 14 points, although Ireland (10), France (10) and Wales (9) could yet beat them to second behind champions England with victories later on Saturday.
Italy, meanwhile, fail to register a point for the second championship in a row.
Stuart Hogg kicked Scotland in front from the tee but it was Italy who settled quicker and started to dominate possession and territory.
Canna missed with a chance to pull the visitors level and claim at least some reward for their early good work, and Scotland soon took control.
Huw Jones stumbled on the greasy surface after breaking the Italian defensive line, before Visser spilled the ball forwards from a Russell crossfield kick.
Centre Jones picked up a game-ending injury as his chance came to nothing, but Russell eventually gave the hosts cause for celebration, bursting between two Italian defenders from five metres out before converting his own try to send Scotland 10-0 in front.
Canna’s profligacy with the boot continued to hurt Italy’s chances, and Scott – on for Jones – extended Scotland’s lead from a chipped kick that was palmed back by Hogg.
3 – Three of Matt Scott’s five tries for @Scotlandteam have come against Italy. Preferential.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 18, 2017
A third missed penalty closed out the half for Italy, before Conor O’Shea’s men contrived to throw away a glorious try-scoring opportunity shortly after the restart, with Hogg holding up Angelo Esposito out wide.
28 – @Scotlandteam have won all previous 28 Test matches in which they’ve led by 15+ points at halftime. Comfortable. pic.twitter.com/7tvzk9WC3x
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 18, 2017
Captain John Barclay’s 10 minutes in the sin bin came at little cost to Scotland, as Edoardo Padovani failed to finish off another great chance for Italy to go over.
Scotland again showed Italy how it was done at the other end, with Visser winning a foot race to hook the ball over the line with his boot and touch down shortly after the hour mark.
Seymour then wrapped up the bonus point after being released down the right late on, leaving Cotter to hand over a Scotland team much stronger than the one he inherited.
0 – @Scotlandteam have kept a Tier One team scoreless for the first time since February 1993 (20-0 v Wales). Watertight. pic.twitter.com/s1HOfaa48w
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 18, 2017
Key Opta stats:
– Scotland kept a Tier One team scoreless for the first time since February 1993 when they beat Wales 20-0.
– Scotland have won their last four home games in the Six Nations, the last time they went on a longer such run was a streak of six games between 1989 and 1991.
– Scotland have won their last five home games overall, the last time they went on a longer run at home was a 13 game streak from 1989 to 1991.
– Carlo Canna missed all three of his kicks at goal in this game; coming into this game Canna had slotted six of his seven shots at goal.
– Matt Scott scored his fifth try for Scotland in this game, three of his five tries have come against Italy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
After missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
10 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
10 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
10 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
10 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
10 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to comments