Report: Italy U20 47-14 Scotland U20

Scotland's Ruaraidh Hart and Findlay Thomson celebrate Euan McVie’s try during the 2024 Under 20 Six Nations Championship Round 4 between Italy and Scotland in Stadio Monigo, Treviso, Italy Friday, March 8, 2024 (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli / Inpho)

After countless phases of Italian attack, but also strong Scotland defence, a penalty was awarded to Italy and they kicked to touch. Scotland defended the maul, but Italy’s forwards edged towards the line and Piero Gritti was under the posts. The conversion was made. 

Italy attempted to clear the ball close to their line but an incredible interception from Hector Patterson let Euan McVie collapse over the ball and over the whitewash, getting the first points of the night in the 18th minute. Isaac Coates’ kick hooked round perfectly and added the extra two. 

After the ball was kicked to touch and a successful line out was taken by Scotland, the young Scots brought the ball into play. Some excellent hands from Findlay Thomson offloaded the ball out to Ferg Watson who sprinted down the wing to dive over the line. Isaac’s kick was good again to bring us another seven points up. 

Half Time: Italy U20 7–14 Scotland U20 

Italy got their second try of the evening when Gritti found space in the Scottish defence out of a ruck close to the line.  

At 55 minutes, Italy added a second try from the line out close to the Scotland line let Gasperoni squeeze over the whitewash in the corner. The kick was good. 

Another Gasperoni try and the bonus point was added a few minutes later after some heavy attacking phases. Conversion was made.  

A fifth Italian try came in quick succession when the hosts broke down the left from the kick off and Beloni slipped through the defence. 

With just two minutes left, a cross-field kick out to Scalabrin was gathered by the right winger for Italy’s sixth try. 

And with the final play substitute Patrick de Villiers romped down the left wing to put a final score on the board. 

Full Time: Italy U20 47–14 Scotland U20 

Referee: Saba Abulashvili 

Scotland U20: 15. Jack Hocking 14. Finlay Doyle 13. Geordie Gwynn (CC) 12. Findlay Thomson 11. Fergus Watson 10. Isaac Coates 9. Hector Patterson 1. Robbie Deans 2. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 3. Callum Norrie 4. Euan McVie 5. Ryan Burke 6. Ruaraidh Hart (CC) 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Tom Currie 

Replacements: 16. Gavin Parry 17. Callum Smyth 18. Ryan Whitefield 19. Luke Coulston 20. Jonny Morris 21. Murdoch Lock 22. Matthew Urwin 23. Johnny Ventisei 

Italy U20: 15. Mirko Belloni 14. Marco Scalabrin 13. Ferdinando Fusari 12. Nicola Bozzo 11. Francesco Imberti 10. Martino Pucciariello 9. Mattia Jimenez 1. Sergio Pelliccioli 2. Nicholas Gasperini 3. Davide Ascari 4. Mattia Midena 5. Piero Gritti 6. Cesare Zucconi 7. Luca Bellucci 8. Jacopo Botturi (C) 

Replacements: 16. Vittorio Padoan 17. Federico Pisani 18. Marcos Gallorini 19. Giacomo Milano 20. Riccardo Paganin 21. Lorenzo Casilio 22. Francesco Bini 23. Patrick de Villiers