Italy too strong for Scotland in Rome

Pablo Canavosio
12 April 2012

Italy once again beat Scotland at the Stadio Flaminio to end their long wait for an RBS 6 Nations victory.

Substitute Pablo Canavosio was the hero with a second-half try after Dan Parks almost single-handedly threatened to win the game for the visitors with another masterclass with the boot.

Mirco Bergamasco kicked Italy's other points in a 16-12 success, ending their seven-match losing streak in the competition.

Bergamasco gave Italy the lead with a close-range 11th-minute penalty before his brother Mauro stole the ball at the breakdown, prompting a desperate clearance into touch by Parks and ultimately leading to a second successful Bergamasco penalty.

Scotland were struggling to get out of their own half, with only Parks' excellent tactical kicking relieving the pressure. The fly-half eventually cut the deficit with a penalty in the 21st minute.

The visitors finally got their rolling maul working effectively shortly before the half-hour and were rewarded when a backtracking Italy lost their discipline, allowing Parks to level with a 33rd-minute penalty.

However, Parks blotted his copybook by missing the toughest of touchline penalties as the referee refused to allow a Sean Lamont touchdown to stand after he tried to take a quick tap and go.

More poor Scotland play at the breakdown allowed Bergamasco to convert a 40-metre penalty three minutes into the second half, but a Parks drop-goal from point-blank range levelled the scores again.

Scotland went ahead for the first time in the match, Parks kicking a 30-metre penalty after Canavosio's infringement, before Italy's replacement scrum-half made amends with the game's only try in the 66th minute. Gonzalo Canale exploited a massive hole in the Scotland defence to race clear, and Canavosio popped up in support to score under the posts, with Bergamasco adding the extras.

Scotland were unable to break through in the closing seconds as Italy held on for another famous win following their victory in this fixture two years ago.

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