The 2026 Six Nations rugby tournament has already delivered its share of drama, and nowhere was that more evident than in Rome, where Italy edged out Scotland 18-15 in a rain-soaked thriller on February 7. With France defending their title and the competition schedule condensed by the removal of a rest weekend, every match feels like a must-win, and for Scotland, the campaign could hardly have gotten off to a more frustrating start.
When the teams took to the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico, the weather was already making its presence felt. Sheets of rain hammered down, turning the field into a slick, unpredictable battleground. Yet Italy wasted no time asserting themselves. After just seven minutes, Lynagh sliced through the Scottish defense to register the opening try, sending the home crowd into early celebrations. Not long after, Menoncello scorched across the line, doubling Italy’s tally and putting Scotland on the back foot almost immediately.
Scotland, for their part, tried to steady the ship. They responded through a determined drive that saw Dempsey touch down for a try, offering a glimmer of hope. But the conditions made every point hard to come by, and mistakes began to creep in. Handling errors, loose carries, and the relentless pressure from the Italian pack left the Scots scrambling for answers. According to Michele Lamaro, Italy’s emotional captain, “Very frustrating, we let them score too easily early on and then in the conditions points are too hard to come across. The errors are on us, we were too loose in the carry, they ultimately adjusted better than we did and that’s on us.”
Italy, buoyed by their early lead and the passionate home support, kept up the intensity. The Azzurri’s defensive effort was nothing short of heroic, especially in the dying minutes as Scotland mounted a desperate, multi-phase assault. The Italian forwards repelled wave after wave of Scottish attack, their determination summed up by the sight of Niccolo Cannone and Paolo Garbisi celebrating at the final whistle, arms raised in triumph. It was a moment that seemed to evaporate every drop of rain from the stadium, so intense was the emotion on display.
Scotland’s woes were compounded by discipline issues. Turner was shown a yellow card after a shoulder-to-head contact was reviewed by the bunker, leaving his side temporarily down a man at a crucial stage. The Scots, though, refused to go quietly. With just over ten minutes left, George Horne spotted a gap on the blind side and raced for the corner, sliding in for a try that brought the visitors within striking distance. Russell’s conversion attempt from the touchline sailed wide, however, and the three-point deficit remained.
As the clock ticked down, the tension ratcheted up. Italy played sensible rugby, keeping possession and kicking for territory, while Scotland’s attacks became increasingly frantic. The visitors had opportunities, including a late penalty that allowed them to set up a lineout deep in Italian territory, but the home side’s defense held firm. Every time Scotland threatened, the ball seemed to slip from their grasp—sometimes literally, as the sodden conditions made handling a nightmare.
The final minutes were a microcosm of the entire match: Scotland hammering away at the Italian line, Italy refusing to break. After nearly thirty phases of relentless pressure, the Scottish attack finally stalled, and the referee’s whistle confirmed Italy’s victory. The explosion of joy from the Italian players and fans was palpable. Lamaro, reflecting on the achievement, told the BBC, “The team, this jersey and my heart. We are here to do this sort of game, we train so hard for the joy of doing this. It’s been an honour to get this big achievement, Scotland are such a great team and we know what they can do. To get a win against a team like that gives us so much confidence.”
For Scotland, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. The campaign’s condensed schedule, with one less rest weekend, means there’s little time to regroup. Next up is a daunting clash against England at Murrayfield on February 14, a fixture that now carries even more significance for a Scottish side desperate to get their season back on track. The pressure is mounting on coach Gregor Townsend and his squad, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether this year’s team can avoid another disappointing finish.
Italy, meanwhile, will take heart from a performance that showcased both their tactical nous and their fighting spirit. The victory over Scotland is not just a morale booster; it’s a statement that the Azzurri are no longer content to be the tournament’s perennial underdogs. Their ability to adapt to the conditions, maintain composure under pressure, and execute when it mattered most bodes well for the rest of their campaign.
Elsewhere in the Six Nations, France have started their title defense in style, dispatching Ireland 36-14 in Paris on the opening night. Les Bleus, who edged out England and Ireland to claim last year’s crown, look every bit the favorites again, with a squad brimming with talent and confidence. England, for their part, are set to host Wales at Twickenham, while Ireland will look to bounce back against Italy in Dublin in the coming round.
The 2026 Six Nations schedule runs from February 5 to March 14, with every match broadcast live in the UK on BBC and ITV, and available for streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. The new joint broadcasting agreement ensures fans won’t miss a moment of the action, whether they’re watching from home or on the go. Premier Sports also carries select games, giving viewers plenty of ways to keep up with the tournament’s twists and turns.
As the dust settles on a dramatic opening weekend, one thing is clear: the Six Nations remains as unpredictable and compelling as ever. Whether it’s the reigning champions flexing their muscles, underdogs rising to the occasion, or the weather itself playing havoc with the best-laid plans, rugby fans are in for a wild ride this spring. For Scotland, the challenge is clear—bounce back quickly or risk another campaign slipping away. For Italy, the win over Scotland is a reason to dream bigger, and for the rest of the field, the chase for the crown is just heating up.
With the next round of fixtures looming, all eyes will be on Murrayfield and Dublin. Can Scotland turn things around against the old enemy? Will Italy build on their momentum? And can anyone stop France from marching to another title? The answers are still to come, but after a weekend like this, anticipation couldn’t be higher.