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Winger Louis Lynagh has made himself an instant hero with a try on debut as Italy rallied to beat Scotland 31-29 in a dramatic Six Nations clash to put a huge dent in their opponents’ championship hopes.
The son of former Australia great Michael Lynagh was born in Italy and his try, along with scores from centre Ignacio Brex and replacement halfback Stephen Varney, helped Italy come from 22-16 down at halftime and underline their improvement under new coach Gonzalo Quesada.
Scotland were dominant in the opening half hour, scoring tries through props Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman, and winger Kyle Steyn, but they made numerous errors and could only manage a late try from lock Sam Skinner in the remainder of the game.
Italy forced that pressure with a heroic display as they claimed a first win over Scotland since 2015, and made up to a degree for their 13-13 draw with France last time out when flyhalf Paolo Garbisi missed a kick at the end of the game to win it.
Louis Lynagh celebrates after scoring a try for Italy against Scotland. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Federugby via Getty Images)
“I don’t have any words right now – one try and one win, I might retire!” a jubilant Lynagh told ITV.
Born in Italy but a former England junior international, the 23-year-old is the son of ex-Australia great Michael Lynagh, a World Cup winner in 1991, and said he would take on board his father’s advice to him.
“Celebrate, refocus and go again. (There is) no point over celebrating one win – you have got to back it up,” he said.
“Looking at them right now – Dad is almost in tears, my grandad in Treviso will be over the moon, they will be so happy and I can’t wait to celebrate with them. This is one of the best moments of my life.”
Italy claimed a first Six Nations victory since they won in Wales in the final game of the 2022 tournament and it was their first at home for 11 years.
Garbisi had an early penalty chance and, in a carbon copy of his heart-breaking miss against France, almost ran out of time, again before slotting it over with a wry smile on his face.
Again the ball fell off the tee and Scotland players had to be warned not to charge the kick. Garbisi converted with under 10 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
From there, Scotland took control and put together 18 phases before Ferguson powered over and Steyn crossed following more adventurous rugby with ball in hand.
Italy needed a response and got it with a superb score.
Halfback Martin Page-Relo clipped a perfectly-weighted kick behind the defence and Brex was able to gather and go in under the posts.
Scotland grabbed a third try as a brilliant 50-22 from flyhalf Finn Russell set up an attacking lineout and Schoeman powered over.
Russell failed with the conversion, his first miss in this year’s Six Nations, and one that proved crucial in the final result.
A long-range penalty from Page-Relo kept Italy in the contest as Scotland led 22-16 at halftime following a breathless first 40 minutes, but the momentum had swung in their favour.
Garbisi’s superb grubber early in the second half was perfect for Lynagh to gather and score.
It was a sweet moment for 23-year-old English-based Lynagh, who has an Italian mother and who could have chosen to make his international career with Australia, England or the Azzurri.
Then, roared on by a sell-out crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, Italy hit the front when Varney crossed the tryline.
Scotland managed to earn a four-try and losing bonus points thanks to Skinner’s late score.
England have shocked champions Ireland 23-22 with a last-gasp drop goal by Marcus Smith at Twickenham to blow open the Six Nations.
Ireland, rattled by the best England performance in the Steve Borthwick era, gathered enough composure on Saturday to be seconds away from clinching back-to-back titles.
But England, trailing 22-20, produced one last attack and took it to the Irish try-line, where they received consecutive penalty advantages as the clock moved into the red.
If the play had broken down, Smith would have had a penalty kick to win the match. Instead, he snapped off a drop goal from inside the 22 to win it.
Ireland’s back-to-back grand slam hopes went up in smoke but they can still retain the championship with a win or draw when they host Scotland next weekend in the last round.
England, coming off a loss to Scotland, returned home to a packed house and were inspired. The recalls for George Martin, Alex Mitchell and wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, in his first start, paid off in an ambitious team that played direct and at pace.
England dominated possession and territory but weren’t clinical with their chances. They outscored Ireland three tries to two but had another try ruled out and missed seven points off the tee.
Ireland didn’t panic despite losing two backs to head injuries and captain Peter O’Mahony to the sin-bin in the second half.Â
A steal by Ronan Kelleher set up an attacking lineout from which left wing James Lowe scored his second try for 22-20 with just seven minutes to go.
That just ramped up an already tense atmosphere with all that was at stake.
England’s Elliot Daly missed a long-range penalty attempt, and England were reduced to 14 men when replacement Chandler Cunningham-Smith limped off with two minutes to go. England’s bench was already cleared.
But England went after the win and Smith secured it to lift the one-loss team back into title contention and end a four-match losing run to Ireland after a thrilling contest in which the lead changed five times.
England conceded an early Jack Crowley penalty but took only seconds to reply.
Fullback George Furbank counter-attacked from his half, Ireland wing Calvin Nash was crunched by Tommy Freeman, and quick hands exploited the absence of Nash on the right wing, where Ollie Lawrence brushed off Crowley to score in the fourth minute.
George Ford’s one successful goalkick and a second Crowley penalty made it 8-6 to England.
England were rampant in the half but couldn’t score again. Of the six penalties the hosts gave away in the half, Crowley slotted home four to give Ireland a 12-8 lead without firing a shot.
That changed after the break. Hugo Keenan regathered a box kick, England’s Henry Slade had a rush of blood and Crowley set up a three-on-one for Lowe’s first try.Â
But England locks Martin and Maro Itoje then released Furbank to score untouched and when O’Mahony was binned in the 58th for a professional foul, Ben Earl ended up scoring and sending England back in front
It proved a great day for England’s replacement halfback Danny Care, who was able to celebrate his 100th cap with a huge win.
© AAP
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