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Match Report - Scotland off to perfect start

Blair Kinghorn celebrates a try

Blair Kinghorn scored Scotland’s first ever Guinness Six Nations hat-trick as they kicked-off this year’s tournament with a 33-20 win over Italy.

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It is 30 years since Iwan Tukalo registered the Dark Blues’ last Championship treble in a Five Nations clash with Ireland.

But Edinburgh wing Kinghorn ended that long wait as Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris also crossed over the whitewash to give Gregor Townsend’s side the perfect start with a bonus point triumph.

Italy skipper Sergio Parisse was making a record 66th appearance in the Six Nations but it turned out to be another day to forget for the long suffering Azzurri skipper.

Conor O’Shea’s team did pull three scores back through Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani and Angelo Esposito in a chaotic final 10 minutes for the Scots but it was not enough to prevent them slumping to their 18th straight defeat in the competition.

Townsend had spoken earlier this week about the need for his side to build early momentum if they wanted to make a run for the title and Scotland were quick out of the blocks.

They thought they had a third-minute opener when Grant Gilchrist crawled over from a line-out drive but referee Luke Pearce left the hosts disappointed as he penalised the Edinburgh lock for a double movement.

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Instead it was the Scots who found themselves behind after Jamie Ritchie’s tip-tackle on Parisse handed Tommaso Allan an easy penalty.

But it took just 12 minutes for Scotland to finally make their breakthrough. With the Italians over-committed down the right, Finn Russell exploited the space on the other side as he floated a perfect cross-field kick into Kinghorn’s hands, leaving the big wing to dart home unchallenged.

Kinghorn had more work to do nine minutes later but the result was the same as he again pounced over in the left-hand corner.

Tommaso Castello’s knock-on gave Scotland a scrum five yards out from which they quickly worked the ball out wide through the hands of Russell and impressive debutant Sam Johnson. Hogg did Kinghorn no favours with a terrible pass that landed under his feet but the pick-up and finish was impeccable.

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Greig Laidlaw, who missed his first conversion, this time nailed the extras from out wide but Scotland failed to keep their foot on the gas and that gave the Italians some much-needed respite as they held on for the half-time whistle trailing 12-3.

However, the Dark Blues’ show of mercy lasted just seven minutes into the second period as Hogg added the third.

Tommy Seymour carved the Azzurri apart with a marauding charge and as the visitors scrambled for cover Russell dinked a grubber in behind. The race was on between on Hogg and Esposito but it was the Glasgow full-back who applied the all-important downward pressure with his fingertips.

Laidlaw’s conversion opened up a 16-point lead but the bonus point was the prize Scotland were really after and it arrived in the 54th minute as Kinghorn wrapped up his treble.

Russell did brilliantly to scoop up a wayward Josh Strauss pass. Ritchie then rammed forward with another impressive run before Laidlaw handed off for Kinghorn, who was unstoppable as he slid over yet again.

Laidlaw again split the posts before substitute Chris Harris claimed his maiden Test try just after the hour mark as good work by Ben Toolis and Strauss left Italy creaking again.

Some the shine was taken of Scotland’s win as they fell asleep in the final 10 minutes, however.

With Simon Berghan sent to the sin-bin, Italy took advantage of their extra man as Palazzani, Padovani and Esposito were all allowed to scamper home.

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H
Hellhound 7 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 48 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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