6N: Big win over Italy won't save Scotland's lame campaign
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - Even if 50-plus points are dumped on Italy on Saturday in an empty Murrayfield, such a romp will not save Scotland from another lame Six Nations campaign.
The opening weekend win over England which marked a first at Twickenham in 38 years, finally heralded Scotland´s arrival as a real title contender. The 11-6 thrashing lit up Scotland´s credentials: A forward pack that could dominate and a backline that cut you apart.
But all it lit up was another false dawn for the Scots in the Six Nations era.
With each passing day, that Twickenham win looks less of a steppingstone to greatness and more like an off day by a defending champion caught unprepared and underestimating.
Instead of being launched into rarefied air as a contender, Scotland sank back into familiar mediocrity by blowing its following home games against Wales and Ireland.
Against Wales, the Scots wasted chances and pressure, and ruined their effort with indiscipline when prop Zander Fagerson was sent off in the second half for a reckless charge into a ruck. Wales won 25-24.
Scotland's Stuart Hogg, reacts after the end of the Six Nations rugby union match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday, March 14, 2021. Ireland won the game 27-24. (Jane Barlow/Pool Via AP)
Against Ireland, the Scots´ indiscipline gave their opponents momentum and confidence to lead by 14. Scotland fought back to tie the score with minutes to go only to blow it with a last, costly error. Ireland won 27-24.
The autopsy on another failed Six Nations title bid has showed opponents remain more streetwise than Scotland, which struggles with focus and composure.
"Its a work in progress," flanker Jamie Ritchie admits, though the work has been in progress for two decades.
"There are things we can control like not giving away penalties that we don´t need to give away, and learning sometimes to take our medicine and deal with what is in front of us."
What´s in front of them on Saturday is an Italy side which has been regressing at a faster rate after praised opening efforts against France and England. Since then, Italy has played worse and suffered.
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Lineups:
Scotland: Sean Maitland, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Duhan van der Merwe, Stuart Hogg (captain), Scott Steele; Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie, Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner, Zander Fagerson, David Cherry, Rory Sutherland. Reserves: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Alex Craig, Nick Haining, Ali Price, Jaco van der Walt, Chris Harris.
Italy: Edoardo Padovani, Mattia Bellini, Juan Ignacio Brex, Federico Mori, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Michele Lamaro, Johan Meyer, Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Niccolò Cannone, Marco Riccioni, Luca Bigi (captain), Danilo Fischetti. Reserves: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Andrea Lovotti, Giosuè Zilocchi, Riccardo Favretto, Maxime Mbanda, Marcello Violi, Carlo Canna, Marco Zanon.
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