The Famous Grouse Nations Series

Scottish Gas Murrayfield

Full-Time

Scotland_whiteout
25 - 13
25
verses icon
13
italy_whiteout

3
Tries
1
Graham13′
Graham56′
Bayliss80′
62′Ioane
2
Conversions
1
Healy57′
Healy81′
63′Allan
2
Penalties
2
Healy48′
Healy74′
26′Allan
42′Allan
0
Drop Goals
0
FT

See you next week

Thanks for following our match centre this afternoon!

Scotland came out 25-13 winners thanks to two tries for Darcy Graham and one from Josh Bayliss.

See you next Saturday for the visit of France!

FT

A win to start the Famous Grouse Nations Series

A good opening to our World Cup preparations!

It was close throughout, but two tries from Darcy Graham and one at the death from Josh Bayliss secure a 12-point win.

We’re back here next Saturday to face France.

80

BAYLISS!

SCOTLAND FINISH IN STYLE!

Ollie Smith, who has moved out to left wing, makes excellent ground.

Then it’s brought all the way back to Josh Bayliss on the right touchline, who does fantastically to step the last defender and ground it in the corner.

Healy converts with the last play.

FT

A successful return

Not bad from Darcy on his first appearance for Scotland in 2023 eh?

FT

Just under 50,000 in the stands

A word for today’s crowd, who got Scotland through some sticky moments in that second half.

Thank you to everyone at Scottish Gas Murrayfield today!

76

Running exit

Instead of the boot from the 22, Scotland’s back elect to run it.

McDowall makes excellent metres on the right, but he’s bundled into touch just shy of halway.

74

Shot at goal

The lineout is knocked on and Italy get the scrum, but that leads to a Scotland penalty from the left side on the 22.

Healy is going for goal.

75

It’s good!

Three more onto our total. Five to go!

77

Intentional knock

Jamie Dobie goes for the intercept, but it’s deemed he knocked it on intentionally.

Italy get the penalty and will have the lineout on the left just outside our 22.

78

Not straight

Scotland get the ball back!

We will have a scrum as the lineout wasn’t straight. The ball is fed in with exactly 90 seconds left on the clock.

68

Italy on our 22

Another penalty for Italy – we’ve not really had any considerable number of phases without a stoppage in this game.

They will start again from our 22 on the left.

79

Penalty

Another great scrum!

We win the penalty, and kick to just outside Italy’s 22.

Ben Healy is announced as The Famous Grouse Player of the Match.

72

Error-ridden

As you might expect from a first game of the season, it’s fairly scrappy.

Dropped balls from both sides, and Scotland with half a lineout on halfway.

68

First cap for Cameron Henderson!

Scott Cummings will come off, and Cameron Henderson is on to win his first cap.

Congratulations Cameron! Cap number 1140.

72

50/22!

Ollie Smith grubbers from just inside his own half, and it just rolls out before Kyle Steyn can gather.

But it’s a 50/22, and Scotland get the attacking platform.

56

DARCY AT THE DOUBLE!

He’s just so good. He’s just so, so good.

One phase after the scrum, Darcy sprints infield to collect a tight pass from Ali Price.

He’s between the two defenders and over the line before the Italian defenders even realise he’s coming.

Ben Healy adds the conversion.

62

Italy in the corner

The Italians move it from right to left, winning each collision as they do so.

Monty Ioane has space on the left to ground it in the corner.

59

What a scrum!

A mistake from the backs as a pass is knocked on five metres out.

But from Italy’s scrum, Scotland barge them off the ball and exit!

70

Bayliss for Crosbie

Another Italian held up to win Scotland the scrum narrowly inside our own 22.

That gives Josh Bayliss the chance to replace Luke Crosbie in the back row.

57

Two changes

Ali Price and Chris Harris come off for Jamie Dobie and Cameron Redpath.

Dobie wins his second cap, with his first coming in October 2021 against Tonga.

51

Jackal from Matt!

A first spell of possession in the second half for Italy, which included a few half breaks.

Scotland cause havoc at a ruck, and at the next one Matt Fagerson latches onto the ball on his own 22 and wins the penalty.

Scotland kick it out just outside Italy’s 40m line.

60

Italy come forward

Scotland penalised on the halfway line. Italy kick into our 22.

Another penalty now in front of the posts, but Allan instead opts to boot it out on the right.

Italy go again from five metres.

54

HOW CLOSE IS THAT?!

WOW.

Matt Fagerson with another turnover on the deck, and Ollie Smith sees acres of space in the right corner.

His boot downfield stops just short of the line, with Martin Page-Relo in all sorts of bother.

He tries to exit, but Darcy charges it down and McInally just can’t ground it.

But Scotland will have the scrum five metres out…

53

Italy attack

Silly errors costing Scotland.

A knock on after the lineout, and then we concede the penalty at the scrum.

Italy will start with a lineout on our 22.

47

Shot at goal

Scrum penalty for Scotland this time!

Ben Healy will kick at goal from just left of the posts.

46

Lost forward

Scotland aren’t going anywhere fast, and then lose the ball forward in the contact.

Italy scrum around 20 metres out.

41

Scottish lineout

Allan exits. Scotland will restart from 25 metres out.

48

First points for Healy!

Ben Healy converts the penalty – his first points for his country!

42

Held up!

Kyle Steyn makes the break on the 22, and Scotland get over the line. But, crucially, it’s held up.

We go back for a Scottish penalty, but a knock on from the tap and go gives Italy an easy exit.

Play will resume with an Italy lineout after Smith found touch, on Scotland’s 40m line.

45

50/22!

Allan grubbers through, and Ben Healy picks up on the edge of the 22.

A lovely spiral down the pitch, and it bounces just into Italy’s 22 and out!

Scotland will thrown in from a great position.

46

Triple change

Murphy Walker’s first start comes to an end. Rory Sutherland and George Turner also come off.

On comes Jamie Bhatti, Javan Sebastian and Stuart McInally.

41

Play resumes!

Ben Healy thumps the ball towards the South Stand.

COME ON SCOTLAND!

38

Held up

Good defence from Italy.

Ollie Smith takes it in, but Italy create a maul and make the ball unplayable.

They’ll have a scrum less than 15 metres from their own line.

40

Chance for Italy to lead at the break

Italy get a penalty just inside Scotland’s half on the left side with the last play of the half as the host pack are deemed to collapse a scrum.

Tommaso Allan has the chance to give his side the lead at the break.

HT

Darcy’s delight

Darcy Graham with Scotland’s only try of the half, gathering Ben Healy’s kick on the right wing.

34

Turnover from the forwards!

Italy go the maul, but the Scottish forwards swarm in and make the ball unplayable.

Scotland get the scrum, and then the penalty off the back of it!

Healy finds touch 25 metres out.

31

Intentional knock on

Italy now the ones struggling to make any metres. A huge hit from George Turner has them going backwards, so they chip over the top but McDowall read it a mile off.

He gathers, and then an intentional knock on gives Scotland the penalty.

It’s missed touch though, and Italy fire it back up the pitch.

37

Scotland on the charge

The ball is fired out to Darcy on the right, who sprints for the corner. He’s bundled into touch though.

But Scotland steal the lineout five metres out! We look for a gap…

32

Jackal penalty

Ben Healy sends one to the skies, and hares after it.

He’s got it too! And knocked it back to Rory Sutherland, who charges on.

But he’s penalised for holding on in the ruck, and Italy kick to our 10m line.

HT

Converted

He’s got it, and that’s half time.

Scotland trail by one.

15:34

Congrats Stafford!

Congratulations to Scotland cap 1139 – Stafford McDowall.

23

Uh oh

A couple of errors from Scotland nearly lead to a try.

Ali Price’s pass has no takers, and Manuel Zuliani hacks on. It’s not gathered by Smith or Chris Harris cleanly, and squirms over the line, but eventually Smith gets his paws on it.

Italy scrum, five metres out.

29

On the full

Unlucky from Price.

Scotland going nowhere, and with Healy on the deck Price elects to boot over the top.

It’s nearly perfect with plenty space in the left corner, but it just goes out on the full.

Italy lineout on halfway.

26

Shot at goal

Scotland caught offside.

Tommaso Allan will surely knock this over from in front of the posts.

22

Hoof!

Scotland win the penalty themselves and get the chance to exit – a bit stop-start at the moment.

That’s a massive wallop from Ben Healy – Scotland will play from just outside Italy’s 22.

26

First points for Italy

Yep, easy as you like. A two-point game.

20

Offside

Bit unlucky for Scotland that. A knock on after the lineout and it’s picked up by an offside player, and Italy get the penalty instead of a scrum.

Ollie Smith is then caught offside a phase later, and Italy now have the lineout around 10 metres out.

9

Scotland attacking scrum

Italy have a lineout on their own 5, but it goes array and they have to ground it over the line.

Scotland have the scrum five metres out.

13

DARCYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Try time!

The maul gets us inches short, and the ball is fired out to debutant Stafford McDowall.

It’s played out the back to Ben Healy who kicks out to Darcy on the right wing, who has all the space in the world to pick it up and dot down for the first score!

11

Italy free kick

Nope, Italy will have it back for a scrum infringement.

They exit to the 10 metre line.

12

A kick to the corner – opportunity for the hosts

Italy are caught offside in midfield.

Ben Healy, making his first start, hoofs the ball into the left corner, around eight metres out.

17

Scrum penalty

A scrum to Scotland in their own 22 leads to a penalty after a strong push.

Healy hoofs it down to around 35 metres out from Italy’s line.

1

Out on the full

Italy kick off, and Scotland attempt to exit.

But it’s gone out on the full after Scotland took it back into their own 22, so it’ll be an Italian lineout around 20 metres out.

2

First action for Ollie

A real opportunity for Ollie Smith in the 15 jersey today, and that will give him confidence.

Italy take a creative risk, something we may well see a lot of today, and grubber kick in behind, but Ollie Smith grounds it over the line and Scotland will exit from their goal line.

6

So close for Darcy!

A long kick downfield, and Darcy wins the race!

He hacks on again, but is beaten to the ball and it’s grounded over the line.

15:00

Warm Ups

Ready to go! Warm-ups complete. Both teams are back in their changing rooms.

#AsOne 

15:10

The teams emerge!

It’s anthem time!

5

And again!

The ball is kicked in behind again for Smith to chase, and once more he handles it brilliantly.

Price then exits.

15:12

Match Ball Delivery

It’s a privilege to be able to welcome Caitlin Wilkie and her family to Scottish Gas Murrayfield to deliver the match ball for today’s game.   

Eight-year-old Caitlin was diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic condition Bardet Biedl Syndrome and has inspired huge fundraising efforts from the rugby community and beyond.  

Read her story HERE

14:30

Next Week: Scotland v France

If you’re loving the atmosphere at Scottish Gas Murrayfield today, or feel like you’ve missed out being at home we’ll be back next Saturday when the men’s side take on France in the second fixture of The Famous Grouse Nations Series (5 August, kick off 3.15pm).

Don’t waste time and secure your tickets today via scottishrugbytickets.org!

14:15

Behind The Scenes

Take an exclusive look inside the Scotland team changing room…

14:45

We’re Back!

It’s great to be back home and seeing so many of you supporting Scotland!

 

13:45

Team Arrival

Your Scotland team are in the house!!

15:15

KICK OFF

COME ON SCOTLAND!!

14:00

NEW Scotland Kit Available!

This will be the first time the new 2023/24 season kit will be worn by the men’s nation team and you’ll be the first to see it! Grab your very own home, alternate or training kit from the Macron store today.

14:20

Today’s captain – Darge leads the charge

Rory Darge leads the team in at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

A special day for the 23-year-old.

13:00

Welcome Back!

Our first game at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.   

What a day for it!

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JULY 29: Ben White with fans during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Italy at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, on July 29, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

13:15

Team Reminder

Your Scotland team for this afternoon’s game (kick off 3.15pm). 

12:30

Scotland Women Season Pass On Sale Now

Scotland Women will host Spain on Saturday 30 September at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh as preparations get underway for World Rugby’s new global competition, WXV.

Supporters can secure their tickets for all three of Scotland’s home games this season at Hive Stadium with the newly launched Season Pass, including Spain, France, and England. Available until Thursday 10 August – when match tickets will go on public sale.

BUY HERE

12:45

NEW Series – Our Journey

“Our Journey”, brought to you by sportsbreaks.com, takes you closer than ever to the team as they prepare for Rugby World Cup 2023.

Available HERE or Scottish Rugby YouTube channel.

11:00

The Official Scottish Rugby Podcast

Travelling to the stadium today via bus or train or simply in the car?

Listen to the latest episode of the Official Scottish Rugby Podcast where our hosts Caroline Blair and Chris Paterson explore team selection for today’s match against Italy and what to expect from Gregor’s side.

Listen on the Scottish Rugby Website HERE, PodBean, Spotify, Acast and many more.

09:30

Where To Watch ⏱

All the info you need to watch along from home below:

UK: primevideosport   

Global: https://bit.ly/451IhgD  

10:00

Thinking About Coming Along?

Tickets are still available for today’s game up until kick-off. Purchase on scottishrugbytickets.com and they will appear in your Scottish Rugby Ticketing App. 

12:15

Tickets Still Available!

Three hours to go and there’s still time to be here! Purchase on scottishrugbytickets.com and they will appear in your Scottish Rugby Ticketing App. 

 

08:30

Match Preview

A look ahead at today’s opening match of The Famous Grouse Nations Series against Italy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. 

Read it HERE

08:00

The Famous Grouse Nations Series is here. Let’s do it! 

Tickets for today’s match are still available online up until kick-off. Purchase on scottishrugbytickets.com and they will appear in your Scottish Rugby Ticketing App.

09:00

World KO time

Follow today’s game from wherever you are around the globe. 

80:00 Second Half End

80:35

Healy

79:14

Bayliss

73:56

Healy

71:43

Kinghorn
Graham

68:57

Bayliss
Crosbie

63:24

Da Re
Page-Relo

63:11

Henderson
Cummings

62:48

Allan

61:43

Ioane

59:37

Alongi
Ceccarelli

56:43

Redpath
Harris

56:42

Dobie
Price

56:41

Manfredi
Faiva

56:40

Iachizzi
Sisi

56:39

Mori
Morisi

56:13

Healy

55:02

Graham

50:48

Garbisi
Bruno

50:47

Cannone
Zuliani

50:46

Fischetti
Zani

47:24

Healy

45:39

Sebastian
Walker

45:38

McInally
Turner

45:37

Bhatti
Sutherland

40:00 First Half End

41:39

Allan

25:32

Allan

12:16

Graham

Kick-off 3:15 pm

tries

3

conversion goals

2

penalty goals

2

kick success

18

possession

49

tackles

144

scrums won

6

lineouts won

15

clean breaks

5

turnovers conceded

20

yellow cards

0

red cards

0

tries

1

conversion goals

1

penalty goals

2

kick success

14

possession

51

tackles

125

scrums won

5

lineouts won

12

clean breaks

4

turnovers conceded

12

yellow cards

0

red cards

0

Scotland Men

Italy