Match Report | Scotland U20 v Italy U20
19 Mar 2023
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 19: Scotland's Charlie Clare drives forward during an under-20 Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at Scotstoun Stadium, on March 19, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) After a few penalties awarded to both sides, Scotland kicked off the final game in style with a fantastic interception from Dan King, who sprinted up the left to secure the home team their first try. Richie Simpson added the extras.
A driving maul allowed Italy to respond shortly after and captain Giovanni Quattrini was down over the whitewash.
A penalty awarded to Scotland for Italy not rolling away let Richie Simpson slot a kick right through the sticks from over 40 metres, adding another three points for the hosts.
Another penalty awarded Scotland, for Italy not rolling away, let Ben Afshar try his hand at kicking. The attempt was long enough from just Italy’s half, but missed to the left.
Half time: Scotland U20 10-5 Italy U20
Throughout the tournament, Italy have come out strongly, and won every single second half they have played.
A short distance drive over the whitewash from Jacopo Botturi added another five points to the visitors scoreboard not long after half time.
Italy’s scrum was powerful throughout, and a strong drive from five metres out allowed Battara to ground the ball.
The visitors got their bonus point in the 57th minute, with Gallorini crossing the line from close range.
The tighthead prop had his second six minutes later, grounding the ball on almost exactly the same spot.
A yellow card was shown to Filippo Lavorenti for a high tackle against Ben Afshar in the 71st minute, bringing the visitors down to fourteen men.
The visitors saw another yellow soon after, with Lorenzo Elettri sent to the sin bin.
Scotland profited off the visitors being down to thirteen men and Will Robinson dotted the ball down in the right hand corner.
But with the final play, Gasperini got over for Italy’s sixth from close range.
Full time: Scotland U20 17-40 Italy U20
Scotland: 15. Dan King; 14. Kerr Johnston, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Geordie Gwynn; 10. Richie Simpson, 9. Ben Afshar; 1. Craig Davidson, 2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 3. Eben Cairns, 4. Eddie Erskine, 5. Ruaraidh Hart, 6. Liam McConnell (CC), 7. Sam Derrick, 8. Jonny Morris. Substitutes: 16. Corey Tait, 17. Max Surry, 18. Robbie Deans, 19. Harris McLeod, 20. Ewan Guy, 21. Charlie Clare, 22. Ben Salmon, 23. Will Robinson
Italy: 15. François Carlo Mey; 14. Alessandro Gesi, 13. Dewi Passarella, 12. Nicola Bozzo, 11. Filippo Bozzoni; 10. Simone Brisighella, 9. Sebastiano Battara; 1. Destiny Ugiagbe Aminu, 2. Giovanni Quattrini, 3. Marcos Francesco Gallorini, 4. Alex Mattioli, 5. Pietro Turrisi, 6. Carlos Berlese, 7. David Odiase, 8. Jacopo Botturi. Substitutes: 16. Nicholas Gasperini, 17. Riccardo Bartolini, 18. Alex Valentino Artuso, 19. Enrico Pontarini, 20. Filippo Lavorenti, 21. Lorenzo Casilio, 22. Giovanni Sante, 23. Lorenzo Elettri.
