Andrea Marcato's last-gasp drop goal sealed a miserable Six Nations for Scotland on Saturday, with the Azzurri claiming a 23-20 win in Rome.
It was, as expected, a game that for long periods failed to capture the imagination, although it did finally came to life in the last quarter as both sides pressed for victory. In the end it was Italy who struck the decisive blow, one that will bring renewed confidence to their camp and at the same time cast doubt over Scotland's future.
Whilst they played some promising rugby in spells, Scotland continued to demonstrate their inability to perform for a full game -- an inability that will continue to cost them games until it is rectified. The question remains as to whether or not Frank Hadden is the right man to lead them forward. With his first contract review looming large on the horizon it will not take long to find out the answer.
One of the few positives to come from the Scottish Six Nations campaign was their scrum, but even that wilted under extreme Italian pressure in Rome. So much so that three early penalties against Euan Murray for bringing the scrum down resulted in a penalty try for the hosts and Italy had a sniff of set-piece blood.
Italy were more intent on playing an expansive game, a pity then that most of the damage they did was in the wrong areas. Upon entering the Scotland 22 they more often than not reverted back to their forward pack, a useful weapon when deployed at the right time but a rather lethargic one otherwise.
That it took twenty minutes for Scotland to string a meaningful attack together was both a measure of their lacklustre form and of Italy's resolute defence. But for perhaps the first time in the tournament, Scotland went through more than ten phases after a quarter of the game and drew level thanks to Allister Hogg's try.
It came as little surprise that Alasdair Strokosch and Scott MacLeod were at the heart of the move, both turning in fine displays. It was Strokosch's step and break that caused the initial damage before MacLeod laid the try on a silver platter for Hogg. With Paterson adding the extras it was all square.
Dan Parks and Andrea Marcato then traded penalties as the half was heading for a disappointing end, that was until Mike Blair gave Scotland the lead with a ghosting run. The Scotland forwards paved the way for the try, sucking in the Italian defence, before Blair spotted a gapping whole that he slipped through to race away and score.
With little apart from avoiding the Wooden Spoon to play for, it was hardly surprising that the game failed to get going after the break. Scotland looked the more likely of the two to press on but their indiscipline cost them on several occasions -- luckily for them Marcato was off target with the boot.
One man who was not off target though was Sergio Parisse, the Italian captain turning in yet another vintage display. It was his intercept, searing run and dreamy pass that allowed Gonzalo Canale to cruise in under the posts for the score that once again levelled the score.
Finally the game began to open up -- both sides realising they had little to lose but a bit more pride -- and Italy began to prosper. Scotland were rattled, yet more penalties went against them as their hosts turned the screw. With ten minutes to go Marcato sent his side into the lead, albeit a slender three point advantage. Suddenly the little things, charge downs, fifty-fifty passes, loose balls and referee decisions started to go the way of Italy and they sensed a rare victory.
Their hopes were dashed momentarily by Paterson's boot, his penalty putting Scotland back on level terms, as well as taking him to 33 consecutive successful kicks in Test rugby. As the game seemed to be heading for a rather unsatisfactory draw Marcato stepped up and stole the day, his last-minute drop goal giving Nick Mallett his first taste of success as Azzurri coach. The South African was in tears as he congratulated his charges.
Granted they still end up with the Wooden Spoon, but there is no doubt that Scotland will be the less happy of the two sides. But for that win over England they have been shambolic for most of the season, while Italy are gradually getting better.
Man of the Match: For Scotland Scott MacLeod was in fine fettle whilst he was on, Simon Webster was full of buzz and ran hard all game. Alasdair Strokosch is going from strength to strength -- turning in another superb performance. For the Azzurri Leonardo Ghiraldini was industrious, Gonzalo Canale a constant danger, but this award goes to Sergio Parisse. It has been said before, and no doubt it will be again, but Parisse is a class above. He was irresistible in attack and defence, leading by supreme example and setting up the try that allowed his side to win their first game under Nick Mallett.
Moment of the Match: When Sergio Parisse snapped up Dan Parks's pass and set off on the run that would lead to Gonzalo Canale's try you knew the tide had turned and Italy were on their way to victory.
Villain of the Match: Andrew Henderson was his usual awkward self, throwing the odd wild elbow but nothing to merit this gong.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Tries: Penalty try, Canale
Cons: Marcato 2
Pens: Marcato 2
Drop goal: Marcato
For Scotland:
Tries: Hogg, Blair
Cons: Paterson 2
Pens: Paterson 2
Italy: 15 Andrea Marcato, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Mirco Bergamasco, 11 Ezio Galon, 10 Andrea Masi, 9 Simon Picone, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Salvatore Perugini, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Jacobus Erasmus, 20 Pietro Travagli, 21 Enrico Patrizio, 22 Alberto Sgarbi
Scotland: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Simon Webster, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Chris Paterson, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mike Blair (c), 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Craig Smith, 19 Jason White, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Rory Lawson, 22 Andrew Henderson.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges: Chris White (England) and Simon McDowell Ireland)
Television Match Official: Romain Poite (France)
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