Scotland player ratings in desperate defeat by Italy as 3/10 Six Nations display in Rome rain says it all

By Mark Atkinson

Head of Sport

Published 7th Feb 2026, 16:06 GMT

Updated 7th Feb 2026, 16:16 GMT

Marks out of ten for the Scotland players in Six Nations opener

Scotland have started their 2026 Six Nations campaign with a damaging loss to Italy at a sodden Stadio Olimpico.

The Italians eked out an 18-15 victory in Rome and withstood a late Scotland onslaught to hold on for a famous win.

This result heaps huge pressure on Gregor Townsend and his players. Scotland did not perform well in the autumn Tests and a rare defeat to the Italians with only raise questions over the head coach’s tenure.

Conditions inside the famous Italian stadium were treacherous due to persistent heavy rain, but the hosts dealt with them better. They scored two early tries and then held out for the win.

Louis Lynagh and Tomas Menoncello crossed the whitewash within 14 minutes and while Scotland rallied to an extent and got their own try through Jack Dempsey, they were always under the pump.

Scotland did have a chance to win the match in the dying stages with some sustained pressure in four added-on minutes, but Italy held on.

“It was very frustrating,” said Scotland captain Sione Tuipolutu. “We let them score too easily in the first 20 minutes. It’s on us. We were too loose, we didn’t adjust to the conditions in front of us.”

They head to Dublin next to face Ireland. Scotland must lick their wounds ahead of welcoming England to Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup clash next Saturday.

The big prop was momentarily withdrawn on 29 minutes for running repairs. Couple of big cannoning collisions. Made way permanently on 65 minutes for McBeth. 5

1. Pierre Schoeman

The big prop was momentarily withdrawn on 29 minutes for running repairs. Couple of big cannoning collisions. Made way permanently on 65 minutes for McBeth. 5 | SNS Group

This was an afternoon to forget for the Scotland hooker. He set the tone with two early lineouts that were stolen. Lost another three and coughed a penalty for a high tackle, all by 49 minutes. In his partial defence, the wet conditions were treacherous and didn't help lineouts. But Italy coped better. Perhaps lucky not to get a yellow card and was taken off for George Turner on 49 minutes, only to be reintroduced when the sub was sin-binned. 3

2. Ewan Ashman

This was an afternoon to forget for the Scotland hooker. He set the tone with two early lineouts that were stolen. Lost another three and coughed a penalty for a high tackle, all by 49 minutes. In his partial defence, the wet conditions were treacherous and didn't help lineouts. But Italy coped better. Perhaps lucky not to get a yellow card and was taken off for George Turner on 49 minutes, only to be reintroduced when the sub was sin-binned. 3 | SNS Group / SRU

The dynamic prop made his presence felt. Choked up a knock-on 17 minutes in. Made way for Millar Mills before the end. 5

3. Zander Fagerson

The dynamic prop made his presence felt. Choked up a knock-on 17 minutes in. Made way for Millar Mills before the end. 5 | SNS Group

Great lineout take on 31 minutes, but then penalised moments later for jumping across the lineout. Loads of spadework. 5

4. Scott Cummings

Great lineout take on 31 minutes, but then penalised moments later for jumping across the lineout. Loads of spadework. 5 | SNS Group / SRU