Italy Stun Scotland 18-15 in Rain-Soaked Rome Thriller to Open Six Nations Campaign

Italy delivered a statement performance in torrential rain at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, defeating Scotland 18-15 in a bruising opening match of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Championship. The Azzurri raced into an early 12-point lead within the opening 14 minutes and withstood fierce Scottish pressure in the dying moments to claim a vital home victory that will boost their confidence for the campaign ahead.

The match was played in challenging wet conditions that made handling difficult throughout. Italy adapted better to the circumstances in the first half, establishing territorial dominance through their forward pack and clinical goal-kicking. Garbisi extended Italy's lead to 15-7 just before half-time with a penalty kick, giving the home side crucial breathing room heading into the break. Scotland's attack struggled to fire as their set-piece continually malfunctioned, allowing Italy to control possession and field position.

Scotland mounted a determined late comeback that had Italian hearts racing in the final minutes. George Horne crossed in the corner to narrow the deficit to 18-15, setting up a tense finale at Stadio Olimpico. The visitors threw everything at Italy in the closing stages, earning sustained pressure and multiple phases inside the Italian 22-meter area as they desperately searched for a match-winning try.

Despite Scotland's relentless assault in the final moments, Italy's defense held firm under immense pressure. The Italian forwards dug deep, making crucial tackles and forcing turnovers to deny Scotland any opportunity to steal victory. The home crowd roared their approval as the final whistle confirmed a famous win for the Azzurri, their first against Scotland since 2015.

The victory marks an important psychological boost for Italy, who have historically struggled in the Six Nations. Three Italian players reached the 50-cap milestone during the match, adding extra significance to the occasion. For Scotland, the defeat represents a disastrous start to their championship campaign and raises serious questions about their set-piece execution and ability to perform in adverse conditions. Head coach Gregor Townsend will need answers quickly as Scotland prepare to regroup for their next fixture.

Italy will now head to Dublin to face Ireland with renewed confidence, while Scotland must quickly address their shortcomings before their next match. The result demonstrates that on their day and in front of their passionate home support, Italy remain capable of upsetting traditional Six Nations powers, particularly when conditions favor their physical, forward-oriented approach.