Scotland's Huw Jones scored a remarkable hat-trick, propelling his team to a 31-19 victory over Italy, marking the start of their Six Nations campaign at Murrayfield. The match was intense, with Scotland swiftly taking control but facing challenges as Italy made a fierce comeback.
The Scots, opening the match without their influential captain, Sione Tuipulotu, quickly established dominance. Flanker Rory Darge initiated the scoring within the first two minutes, crashing over from close range after some early pressure. Jones followed up shortly with his first try, capitalizing on a blunder from Italy's Juan Ignacio Brex, whose touch let the ball fall perfectly for Jones to score. Scrum-half Ben White added the third try just before halftime, leaving Scotland with a comfortable 19-9 lead.
But Italy wasn’t about to roll over. Thanks to the accurate kicking of Tommaso Allan, Italy tightened the score with penalties. They drew level when Brex intercepted Finn Russell’s pass and sprinted to the try line early in the second half, bringing the score to 19-19. Scotland's resilience was tested, reminiscent of last year's encounter when Italy managed to pin them down after trailing points.
With the game on the line, Scotland needed to rally. It was at this moment of tension when Darcy Graham, known for his speed and agility, made a stunning break, setting up Jones for his second try of the afternoon. Jones showcased his ability by powering through two defenders to complete his hat trick just minutes later, giving Scotland the buffer they needed to seal the win.
“I’m pretty happy. It’s not every day you manage to get on the end of three tries. Thanks to the boys for setting me up,” Jones remarked post-match, reflecting not only on his achievements but also acknowledging the team effort involved.
Scotland's head coach, Gregor Townsend, praised the squad's performance, particularly the forwards, who provided the necessary groundwork for the backs to thrive. He admitted the match was tougher than anticipated, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness moving forward.
Next week, Scotland is set to face reigning champions Ireland, which Jones highlights as a “massive challenge” for his team. The Scots have ambitions to build on this initial success, aiming for their first Six Nations title since 1999.
For Italy, the loss continues their frustrating streak, now enduring their last 12 consecutive defeats. Italian captain Michele Lamaro expressed disappointment with his team's inability to convert possession and maintain attacking pressure.
Scotland’s victory sets up the narrative for their Six Nations prospects, as they look to carry this momentum against Ireland at the same venue next Sunday. Meanwhile, Italy will host Wales, another opportunity for them to shed the burden of their lengthy losing streak.