Scottish Rugby

Scotland are facing a washout of a Six Nations campaign after suffering a dispiriting opening loss to Italy in rain-soaked Rome.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC One: "Hugely disappointed to lose your first game in the tournament, makes things tougher.

"Obviously, the guys are very disappointed. The effort was there. A lot of what we trained was in place. We just gave away too many possessions.

"We just weren't able to score more points in the first half. It was extremely difficult the second half but the effort the players put in was tremendous just not enough to win the game.

"We shouldn't have let them get ahead. They got a couple of breakaway tries. We had opportunities we didn't take and then it made it tough after that.

"Of course there'll be criticism for the result and the performance. I'm with my team. I was hugely proud of the effort they put in at the end, trying to find a way to win. It was really tough and we know we need to be better in that first 20 minutes.

"I believe in them, I believe in what we're doing. Today, it didn't happen and we're going to make sure it happens next week."

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Two Kyle Rowe tries helped Scotland A come from behind to muster a draw with an Italy XV in Rieti.

Despite naming a side packed with full internationalists, the Scots struggled on a poor playing surface but did score the first try through Gregor Hiddleston, when the hooker barged over from close range.

Italy hit back with two converted tries around the half-hour mark before Rowe's first score. This time, Fergus Burke could not convert and the Scots trailed 14-12 at the break.

Into the second half and Cameron Redpath crossed for the visitors to put them in front once more, Burke this time successful from the tee, but a try from tighthead Marcos Gallorini and a penalty from Giovanni Montemauri put the Italians into a 24-19 lead.

But Scotland scored their best try of the night, putting the ball through the hands to find Rowe out wide, and the Glasgow flier dotted down. From wide on the right, Burke pulled his kick and the score remained level until the end.

Scotland A: Paterson, Rowe, Smith, Redpath, Reed; Burke (vc), Warr; Sutherland, Hiddleston, Rae, Gray (c), Craig, Onyeama-Christie (vc), Douglas, Masibaka.

Replacements: Morris, Hepburn, Hurd, Bradbury, Ferrie, Bayliss, Afshar, Lancaster.

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Captain Michele Lamaro believes Italy have changed perceptions and are now taken more seriously by other teams in the Six Nations.

While they have finished fifth in the past two years, Italy won twice in 2024 - only the third time they have racked up two wins in the competition.

Scotland begin their 2026 Six Nations campaign against the Azzurri in Rome on Saturday.

"I think what has changed in the last couple of years is the perception of our team," Lamaro said.

"Teams are not scared of what we can do, but scared of what we might do if we are put in the position to do that.

"We've shown some really good rugby in the last couple of years and we can see how the teams are starting to prepare for us.

"We have the confidence that if we do everything in the proper way, if we put ourselves in the best situation possible, we know we can put Scotland under massive pressure, even from a scoreboard perspective."

While Scotland still have a dominant record against Italy, they lost on their previous visit to Rome - a 31-29 defeat two years ago - and winning margins have also reduced.

"We've been speaking all week about doing what we can control to get to those last 15-20 minutes in contention, and then heart will do the rest," Lamaro said.

"We want to get the crowd going and share that dream with them, make them feel part of it. That's what we need and what they need too."

After taking the wooden spoon in 18 of their 25 years in the Six Nations - and winning no games on 13 occasions - some considered games against Italy as foregone conclusions. Lamaro is convinced that is no longer the case.

"We've been through some really tough moments in the past, so to be able to get that dream going again, it's a really massive thing for us," he said.

"And now seeing that tomorrow we'll have 70,000 people at the Stadio Olimpico, it's something that makes us unbelievably proud, and it gives us a lot of confidence that we're going in the right direction."

We asked for your thoughts on Gregor Townsend naming his Scotland team for Saturday's Six Nations opener in Italy.

Here's what some of you said:

Frazer: Not too much to argue with there, Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie had to start. Tom Jordan more of a surprise, I'd maybe have gone for Blair Kinghorn over him with Jordan on the bench instead of Adam Hastings. But what do I know?!

Greg: Refreshing to see form being rewarded! Will be interesting to see the balance of this team, a lot more ball players and rugby intelligence but maybe a lack of pure speed and dynamism? I'm excited to see how it goes though.

Adam: Good to see Townsend mixing things up in selection. Scotland need to be kicking on to the top three of the Six Nations. They haven't been able to do it yet so a slight switch could help. Keep the faith.

Andrew: Isn't this just Townsend protecting players for a more condensed championship? Because despite Italy's improving performances Scotland are still favourites going into this. I'd expect a similar line-up against Wales, the matches against England, France and Ireland will be what he considers his strongest team.

Jim: No problem with the Scotland team selection. Why wouldn't you want Darcy Graham coming on against a tiring Italy, so he can exploit more space? Townsend is the coach, his job is on the line if the team fail - no one else is qualified to offer anything other than an opinion. If he decides to hold experienced players in reserve, bearing in mind England are up next and we play three weeks in a row, managing our player resources is critical to our chances of success, then so be it. Good luck to them.

Keir: Good team that will have good continuity. It was harsh to call Graham on the bench, an awful decision but I would start him.

Here we go again...

Tom English and Andy Burke discuss the news that has come out of the Scotland camp as they prepare to begin their Six Nations campaign.

Speculation surrounding Gregor Townsend's future and the head coach's bold team selection for the Scots' opener in Italy are on the agenda.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his Scotland side to face Italy in their Six Nations opener on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• On reports he will become Newcastle Red Bulls head coach when his Scotland contract expires in 2027: "It's pure speculation. I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody."

• He adds: "It's a story that I think is being put out there to try and disrupt ahead of this game or next week's game against England. My focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up to the World Cup."

• On his decision to leave out Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham: "Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they're very proud playing for Scotland but there is competition in that back three area as there is in other positions."

• The Scotland boss insists Jamie Dobie, Kyle Steyn and Tom Jordan "deserve their starts given how well they've been playing".

• He adds: "I feel all three of them individually have taken games to the opposition. But the three players that weren't selected, they're quality players. If or when they get back into the squad or they get an opportunity off the bench, like Darcy will on Saturday, we know we're going to have hungry players desperate to get back in the starting team."

• Townsend says "we've been really delighted with the form of the players in that 23 throughout December," and it is a team that "can show the best of what we want to be out in Rome".

• He says Scotland's previous visit to Rome - a 31-29 defeat in March 2024 - will "sharpen the minds" of his squad. "They beat Australia in November so it's one of the toughest teams now to play in world rugby," the head coach adds. "They'll be targeting this game, so to play them first game up, with the passion and atmosphere that's going to be in Rome - it's a sell-out as well - we know we're going to have to play very well to win."

• He is stressing the importance of a winning start: "It's our most important game [Italy]. And when you look at the context of the Six Nations it's a lot about momentum."

• The Scotland boss has been "really pleased with how the players have come in" to the camp, adding the squad are "very connected in meetings, on the training field and they've backed it up".

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It's testament to the form of Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie that leaving out Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham - numbers one and two in the list of record try-scorers - is not at all controversial.

Both Glasgow wings have been superb this season, while Graham will be out to make a big impact off the bench.

Blair Kinghorn being left out the 23 is a big call. He's been Scotland's nailed-on 15 for a long time.

It's a huge show of faith in Bristol's Tom Jordan, who has looked at home in the Test Arena. Gregor Townsend looks to be shaking things up with this selection.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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We discussed this on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast yesterday - a Scotland team with three scrum-halves in it - and there it is.

Jamie Dobie is one of them, of course. He's so deserving of his place on the wing (his adopted position at Glasgow). He's such a busy and effective player.

He started at nine for Glasgow in the famous game against Toulouse before Christmas and when George Horne came on just after the break, he moved to the wing.

He was terrific there yet again, And Horne? Well, he just lit it up and helped mastermind a sensational comeback.

Horne adding energy and pace off the bench on Saturday could be vital. Great to see him in the loop.

What odds a while back that you've had a Scotland team without Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe in it? Any odds you'd have liked.

A huge call at full-back but it's one that has long been mooted. Kinghorn is an exceptionally talented player but he has flaws in his game linked to his inherent risk-taking.

His flamboyance is a great strength when he's in full flow but it's also a weakness when Scotland are trying to tighten things up. Tom Jordan is just a steelier player, even though he's been playing most of his rugby at 10 for Bristol.

The nature of this Six Nations - three games in a row and only one fallow week - means there could be significant changes for the Calcutta Cup even if Scotland were to win in Rome.

Managing the players' minutes will be a bigger feature this time around. Kinghorn (and Van der Merwe) might well come back into the mix next week.

Gregor Townsend has named his Scotland team for Saturday's Six Nations opener in Italy, with Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie preferred to record try scorers Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.

There's no place for Blair Kinghorn either as Tom Jordan completes the back three.

Graham is among the replacements but Van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even in the matchday squad.

What do you make of Townsend's bold selection calls?

Let us know here.

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Scotland have announced their A squad to face an Italy XV on Friday night and, in doing so, revealed who might be in line to play in the Six Nations opener.

The team, led by Glasgow assistant Nigel Carolan, is made up of players from the full first-team squad and players specifically called up for the A side.

It's a strong selection with only two uncapped players in the starting side, which is made up of squad fringe players, as well as a few heavyweights.

Lock Jonny Gray captains the side, with fellow veteran Rory Sutherland also starting at loosehead prop. That leaves Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown and Max Williamson in line for the game in Rome on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors hooker Gregor Hiddleston starts with D'Arcy Rae in the front row, while Alex Craig partners Gray behind them. Again, that suggests Northampton tighthead Elliot Millar Mills will be involved in the Six Nations opener.

The back row is made up of Andy Onyeama-Christie, youngster Freddy Douglas, and Alex Masibaka.

Gus Warr, a late call-up to the Six Nations squad, partners Fergus Burke in the half-backs, with Cameron Redpath and Ollie Smith in the centres. Arron Reed, Kyle Rowe and Harry Paterson make up the back-three.

Harri Morris, Alex Hepburn and Will Hurd are the replacement front row, with Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury, Euan Ferrie and Josh Bayliss all back-row options from the bench.

Glasgow pair Ben Afshar and Dan Lancaster are the backline duo among the subs.

That leaves Gregor Townsend with 29 players in his squad for Saturday, although two of them - Stafford McDowall and Duhan van der Merwe - played for their clubs last weekend.

Scotland A: Paterson, Rowe, Smith, Redpath, Reed; Burke (vc), Warr; Sutherland, Hiddleston, Rae, Gray (c), Craig, Onyeama-Christie (vc), Douglas, Masibaka.

Replacements: Morris, Hepburn, Hurd, Bradbury, Ferrie, Bayliss, Afshar, Lancaster.

BBC Sport Scotland's Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Ross asked: Is this the first time in a long time where Scotland are not really being talked up by fans and media? Will this reduce the pressure on them, and maybe let them play to their full potential.

Tom answered: The whole 'talking up' thing is an irrelevance when it comes to the pressure the players feel. They have the same desire to do well for themselves and for the fans whether people are talking them up or down - and you'd be amazed at how many of them don't read or listen to a word that's said outside their bubble. Probably no bad thing. I don't think you'll ever hear Finn Russell - or any of them - saying that there's a greater burden of expectation on them just because a few pundits are singing their praises. It's not the way these guys are wired.

Fergus asked: With the Glasgow wingers in such great form would you go with Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie to start on the wings? And if so would Duhan van der Merwe or Darcy Graham be a better bench option?

Tom answered: We discussed this on the Scotland Rugby pod on BBC Sounds (subscribe and like etc, etc) but for what it's worth, I'd go on form and I'd have Steyn and Dobie starting with Graham on the bench to add energy and threat later on. Van der Merwe has been miles off it but his try against Leinster suggested he might be finding something at last. With three games in three weeks, and only one fallow week, Gregor Townsend is going to have to give players a break along the way.

Big Duhan could well enter the fray again for the Calcutta Cup. I'm intrigued at how each coach is going to utilise his squad. We've already seen Steve Borthwick going with five Lions on the England bench on Saturday. Managing minutes is going to be important with this new schedule. The bench has become extremely important over the years and it's going to be vital in the weeks ahead with the games coming thick and fast.

Colin asked: Where will we finish? Is fourth the best we can hope for?

Tom answered: No. Fourth is probably two wins. It's blah. Three wins and two competitive defeats would be a big improvement. Four wins would be a resounding, historic success, given that Scotland have never won four times in the Six Nations.

The temptation is to scoff when setting a target like that, but I'd rather set the bar higher than lower. For now, Scotland have a clean bill of health on the injury front and a ton of Glasgow players who are ripping it up in Europe, plus Finn Russell, Tom Jordan, Ben White and Blair Kinghorn going well in England and France. The challenge, as ever, is psychological. Can they overcome their own propensity for implosion and see games out? We'll get some answers very soon.

Alan asked: Lots of talk about how do Scotland stay in games, especially when momentum swings. So what do the best teams actually do?

Tom answered: Low penalty count, low error count, accuracy at the lineout, good decision-making, ruthlessness on both sides of the ball, no daft yellow cards, no easy outs when you have a rival on the ropes. The best teams inch their way back into it, yard by yard, and their confidence grows from there.

You can see the warning signs when things are starting to go wrong for Scotland. They have a lead and are in the opposition 22 looking to extend that lead. But they force it. They give away a penalty. Then another penalty. Now the opposition are down their end. And they score. And now there's doubt. And players trying to problem-solve on their own and getting isolated. And errors. And stress. Argentina in the autumn was the classic example, but just the latest example.

From talking to the players, they know all of this better than anybody. This is a good squad full of players in peak form. But it's their Test match mentality that's in doubt. If they can crack that then really good things might happen.

Stuart asked: A long shot but can we expect the in-form Glasgow players like Gregor Hiddleston and Max Williamson to be picked over their Edinburgh counterparts?

Tom answered: I'd have put Hiddleston on the bench in Rome but he's in the A team, so no chance of that. George Turner will probably be back-up to Ewan Ashman. I suspect it'll be Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings in the second-row but you have to have Gregor Brown in the 23 and I'd also say you have to have Williamson in there, too. The power of the guy will be needed later on.