Report: Emerging Scotland 7 – 24 Italy U23s

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 14: Scotland's Mikey Jones in action during a friendly match between Emerging Scotland and Italy U-23's at the Hive Stadium, on December 14, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

The Italians built steadily into the match after going a try down in the first half, and secured a 24-7 victory.

Italy’s Mattia Ferrarin got the match underway with Scotland attacking towards the Murrayfield end.

Fly half Cammy Scott dealt with the initial incursion – bringing the kick-off down and sending it high into the night sky and out for a lineout near halfway.

Italy threatened Scotland’s line first with a barrage of phases right under the posts. But resolute defending forced an early knock on and reprieve for the home side.

Scotland exerted pressure of their own and, after a number of penalties, forced play to an attacking lineout on the Italian 5m line. The lineout drive was good, but the subsequent phases saw Liam McConnell’s attempt ruled a knock on.

End-to-end stuff 25 minutes in as Italy had numerous phases on Scotland’s try line, only to throw a mistimed pass which the home side intercepted, hoofed downfield and chased with gusto. Kerr Johnston was closest to fullback Simone Brisighella, who picked up the ball and was brought down on his own line. The Italians did well to clear to their 10m line.

The Scottish pressure paid off on the stroke of half an hour. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty was the fortunate benefactor of a pop pass 5m out from the Italian line. He bundled the ball over to score Scotland’s only try of the night. Scott converted and the home side took a seven-point lead. (Scotland 7 – 0 Italy, 30 mins)

A change for Scotland as Amena Caqusau came on for Geordie Gwynn on 35 minutes, after Gwynn picked up an injury while collecting an Italian kick over the top.

On the cusp of half time, Italy struck back through a Marcos Gallorini pick and drive. Ferrarin’s conversion attempt from the touchline was good and we were all square. (7 – 7, 39 mins)

Half time: Emerging Scotland 7 – 7 Italy U23s

A change at half time saw Nathan Sweeney come on for Ben Salmon in the midfield.

Italy put Scotland on the back foot soon after the restart with a perfectly timed kick by Ferrarin, resulting in a 50-22 and an attacking lineout 10m out. The resulting phases piled up and, in the 47^th minute, captain Luca Andreani crossed over under the posts. Ferrarin added the extras and the visitors led by seven. (7 – 14, 47 mins)

Findlay Thomson came on for Ollie Smith on 49 minutes. An injury to Mikey Jones saw Callum Smyth take his place at the front of the scrum with half an hour to play.

Ferrarin’s kicking game continued to cause problems for the home side, and they were made to pay when, after another Italian 50-22, the visitors were in at the corner for their third try of the night. Marco Scalabrin the try scorer this time. Ferrarin couldn’t add the extras. (7 – 19, 54 mins)

Eight subs rolled on for Scotland immediately after the try – all at once – refreshing the look of the Emerging Scotland team.

Mirko Belloni notched Italy’s final try when a chip into the Scottish 22 was partially charged and the chasing Italian pack pounced on the ball over the line. Ferrarin couldn’t add the extras, but the lead ballooned to 17. (7 – 24, 62 mins)

Findlay Thomson was replaced as Kerr Johnston came back on with nine minutes left.

A final push from Italy was held up over the line and Scotland forced to drop out from their goal line. As Italy ran it back, a forward pass was thrown and the final play of the match saw Scotland attempt to run it out but a knock on brought the match to a close.

Full time: Emerging Scotland 7 – 24 Italy U23s

Team sheets

Emerging Scotland

15 Ollie Smith, 14 Kerr Johnston, 13 Ben Salmon, 12 Kerr Yule, 11 Geordie Gwynn, 10 Cammy Scott (vice-captain), 9 Conor McAlpine; 1 Mikey Jones, 2 Harri Morris, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4 Euan McVie, 5 Robert Carmichael, 6 Liam McConnell (captain), 7 Rhys Tait, 8 Tom Currie.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17 Callum Smyth, 18 Cairn Ramsay, 19 Dan Halkon, 20 Macenzzie Duncan, 21 Rudi Brown, 22 Sinjin Broad, 23 Matthew Urwin, 24 Amena Caqusau, 25 Findlay Thomson, 26 Nairn Moncrieff, 27 Nathan Sweeney.

Italy U23

15 Simone Brisighella, 14 Marco Scalabrin, 13 Federico Cuminetti, 12 Dewi Passarella, 11 Alessandro Gesi, 10 Mattia Ferrarin, 9 Gianluca Tomaselli; 1 Destiny Aminu, 2 Nicholas Gasperini, 3 Marcos Gallorini, 4 Jaidin Kingi, 5 Francesco Ruffolo, 6 Luca Andreani (captain), 7 David Odiase (vice-captain), 8 Jacopo Botturi.
Replacements: 16 Valerio Siciliano, 17 Samuele Taddei, 18 Riccardo Genovese, 19 Samuele Mirenzi, 20 Davide Salvan, 21 Lorenzo Casilio, 22 Filippo Bozzoni, 23 Fabrizio Boschetti, 24 Federico Pisani, 26 Patrick De Villiers, 30 Mirko Belloni.

Match Officials
Referee: Peter Martin
AR1: Ciaran Stark
AR2: David Youngs

Player of the Match: Mattia Ferrarin (Italy Under-23s)