Italy's heroic defence stops Scotland's last-gasp charge for Six Nations win, while England hammer Wales

Sunday, 8 February 2026

Italy stopped Scotland's last-gasp charge to hang on for a precious Six Nations win by 18-15 at a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday (NZT).

Scotland used their last scoring chance, two minutes after the fulltime hooter, to go through the phases and took 25 to reach Italy's 22.

But on the 30th phase, Scotland's Max Williamson was held up in the tackle by Italy's Muhamed Hasa and Niccolo Cannone and it was game over.

“Absolutely incredible,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said of his team's last defensive set. “Just shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, this country. This is us. Now we've got a dream in our head.”

Italy notched only a 17th win in Six Nations history and a ninth win against Scotland, which sets them on a path to avoid the wooden spoon for an unprecedented third straight year.

Italy's first opening win since 2013 was not a surprise and neither was Scotland's first opening defeat since 2020, another deflating result for a side that hasn't contended for the title in decades.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been under fire for not improving the team. In his eight previous Six Nations as coach, Townsend has led Scotland to a best finish of third, twice. Asked if he expected to be in charge when England visit next weekend, he said, “Well, I want to be, that's my job so, yeah, that's what I’m focused on.”

The buildup focused on Scotland's last-quarter collapses but it was a slow first-quarter start which stung this time. Italy were 12-0 up in light rain before the game was hit by torrential downpours, turning the field into a splash zone. Scotland outscored Italy in the miserable conditions, even despite a yellow card, but gave the hosts too big a start.

For the first time since 2019, Scotland began a Six Nations match without at least one of back-three regulars Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn, and it wasn't controversial. Townsend replaced them with form picks but Italy exposed the new back three's naivety in defence with two heads-up tries inside 14 minutes.

First, Juan Ignacio Brex grubbered into wide open space for winger Louis Lynagh to scoop and slide in. Then Lynagh took a high ball from scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco and Fusco's miss-out pass gave Tommaso Menoncello an overlap to score untouched. Paolo Garbisi added the sideline conversion.

Poor discipline also undermined Scotland. A relieving penalty on defence was overturned from Ewan Ashman's high tackle on Italy's Manuel Zuliani. Garbisi kicked the resulting penalty to restore an eight-point lead.

Ashman was replaced at hooker by George Turner who, moments later, nailed Zuliani's head in a ruck, received a yellow card and cancelled a kickable penalty for Scotland.

Meanwhile, England inflicted a 48-7 hiding on Wales to open their Six Nations title bid at Twickenham.

England got a bonus-point seven tries, including three for winger Henry Arundell, in a 12th successive win dating to last year's Six Nations.

The 41-point margin of victory was England's biggest against Wales at home since a 62-5 result in a 2007 Rugby World Cup warmup.

That scoreline looked reachable at halftime when England led 29-0 but the game lost its fizz and descended into errors and indiscipline.

Wales also became more competitive but received four yellow cards and went down to 13 men twice. England received two yellow cards, including one for Maro Itoje just seconds after he came off the bench, in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2020.

Wales suffered a record-extending 12th straight loss in the championship dating to 2023 and return to Cardiff next weekend to face France, the title favourites who had a comfortable opening win over Ireland.

England go to Scotland, where they haven’t won since 2020.

England were heavily favoured on Sunday (NZT) and stretched and stressed Wales, but the visitors gifted the home side territory and possession from basic errors, especially in the first half.