Scotland vs. Italy: Score and Reaction from 2017 Six Nations Round 5

Scotland rounded off an impressive 2017 Six Nations campaign with a 29-0 win over Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The hosts scored 15 unanswered points before the break to take the game away from the Azzurri, with Finn Russell and Matt Scott both touching down. Tim Visser scored Scotland's third try in the second period, while Tommy Seymour clinched the bonus point.

It's a win that moves Scotland up into second ahead of Wales' showdown with France and England's visit to Ireland later in the day.

After a chastening defeat at the hands of champions England last week, Scotland started like a team with something to prove.

As we can see here courtesy of RTE, they did so with the first scrum opportunity:

A penalty was awarded to the hosts, with Stuart Hogg making no mistake to give the Scots an early 3-0 lead.

Italy recovered well afterwards, although they were lacking a clinical edge when they got into good attacking areas. Carlo Canna had the chance to equalise with a penalty of his own, although he could only skew his effort; he’d miss two more before the half was out.

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By contrast, Scotland were patient and composed with the ball in hand. That was epitomised by Alex Dunbar just before the half-hour mark, as some sharp work freed Russell, who scored in the corner before converting.

After getting their first, the Scots started to turn the screw before the break, and another try was inevitable as they piled forward. Russell was involved again, as his kick turned Italy around. Hogg worked it back to Scott, who bundled over.

Per the Rugby World Twitter account, the last action of a miserable half summed things up for Italy and Canna in particular:

In the early stages of the second period, it was Italy on the front foot, although once again their final pass was so often lacking in crucial moments. But to be fair to the Azzurri, they were up against a rock solid Scottish defence and an unbending scrum.

It meant the match was one of attrition rather than aesthetics for much of the first period. And there was some angst in the stands as a result of Scotland’s defensive approach, with two more tries needed for a bonus point and a chance at second place.

ESPN’s Tom Hamilton summed up what was a forgettable second period:

Eventually, Scotland did wake up. A kick of real quality from Hogg cut open the Italy defence, with Visser rushing on to the ball and touching down; after a review from the video referee, the try was awarded.

With the bonus point now within touching distance, there was a renewed vigour about Scotland in the latter stages, as they chased down a fourth try. And it was a fitting score to cap off a brilliant Six Nations for the Scots.

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Hogg and Russell moved the ball slickly through midfield, with a brilliant pass giving Seymour space to burst into on the right. He left the Italy defenders trailing to wrap up a comprehensive win for the hosts.

Although Scotland will have to wait to see where they finish in the overall standings in this year’s tournament, Vern Cotter, in his last game as coach, can be proud of the way his team have acquitted themselves.

While the loss to England shows they have some way to go, victories over Wales and Ireland will live long in the memory. This professional performance was another emphatic indication that this is a team moving in the right direction once again.