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Italians overwhelm ragged Scotland

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EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Italy stunned Scotland with three tries in an astonishing first six minutes and went on to win 37-17 at Murrayfield on Saturday to secure their first away victory since joining the Six Nations.

The amazing victory was their highest score and biggest margin of victory in the championship - eclipsing the 14-point margin from their 34-20 win over Scotland in their first match in the competition in Rome in 2000.

Italy went ahead with a charge-down try by Mauro Bergamasco after 19 seconds, and added two more - both interceptions - in the next five minutes through Andrea Scanavacca and Kaine Robertson. All three were converted by Scanavacca.

Scotland came back into the game with a Rob Dewey try, converted by Chris Paterson, who then added a penalty and a converted try to complete his side's scoring.

But the hosts were left to rue the many penalty opportunities they declined as they panicked in the face of the shocking early onslaught.

Italy, who had shown their forward strength throughout, added three penalties before sealing their breakthrough win with a forward-assisted try for scrum-half Alessandro Troncon.

Troncon told the BBC: "It's the result of our hard work. "We were focussed and we played well and today I think is the start of a new era for us.

Troncon, 33, who captained Italy on their famous opening win over the Scots seven years ago, could not hide his delight after being named man of the match in his 93rd international.

"For me it's a great day, it's near the end for me but I'm very happy for Italian rugby."

Shell-shocked

Coach Frank Hadden described Scotland's dressing room as "shell-shocked" after the game and said that their error-strewn start was down to his instructions.

"I take responsibility for wanting a fast tempo at the start of the game. I wanted the crowd to be excited and on edge by starting in this way. You have to chip a rush defence. Sadly the execution went pear shaped," Hadden told reporters.

"Then we were chasing the game. I thought we got back on terms with Chris Paterson's try but then from the restart the ball bounced into touch. Thereafter Italy did what they're good at by closing down the game."

Hadden also defended the bizarre decision by his side not to kick for goal despite being given numerous opportunities.

"At 21-0 down it's hard to claw back in multiples of three. We took the option to go for the corner and we got one try from it," he said.

"To come back from 21-0 down is very difficult and you have to get everything right. The Italians defended very well and in the last quarter closed up the game. The critical moment was letting the ball bounce into touch after Chris's try."

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