Scotland hosted Italy at Murrayfield with a view to getting their first win of this year's Six Nations campaign.
A convincing 38-18 loss at the hands of England at Twickenham last weekend, left them eagerly anticipating a return to home soil. Italy, on the other hand, got off to a flyer last Sunday with a heroic 23-18 victory over France at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Italians were looking to make it back-to-back wins in the competition, as well as pick up their first away win in the Six Nations since 2007.
However, the Scots put in a fantastic performance, as they scored four tries on the way to a convincing win over the Italians.
Read how it all unfolded below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Scotland versus Italy from Murrayfield in the Six Nations.
It may only be the second matchday in the competition, but this game is already hugely important for both sides. Scotland are desperate to win this match, as a defeat could see them destined to pick up the hugely embarrassing wooden spoon.
Italy, who were the other favourites for the spoon, are looking to pick up back-to-back Six Nations wins for the first time in their history. They are also looking to win their first away match in the competition since 2007.
If you were not a fan of those statistics Scotland fans, then look away now.
Scotland are without a win at Murrayfield since 2011, and have lost their last five home matches.
The team lineups have just reached us...
SCOTLAND XV: 15-Hogg, 14-Maitland, 13-Lamont, 12-Scott, 11-Visser, 10-Jackson, 9-Laidlaw, 8-Beattie, 7-Brown (Captain), 6-Harley, 5-Hamilton, 4-Gray, 3-Murray, 2-Ford, 1-Grant.
REPLACEMENTS: Evans, McArthur, Low, Cross, Kellock, Dento, Pyrgos, Weir
And now the visitors...
ITALY XV: 15-Andrea Masi, 14-Venditti, 13-Benvenuti, 12-Canale, 11-McLean, 10- Orquera, 9-Botes, 8-Parisse (captain), 7-Favaro, 6-Zanni, 5-Minto, 4-Geldenhuys, 3-Castrogiovanni, 2-Ghiraldini, 1-Lo Cicero
REPLACEMENTS: Giazzon, De Marchi, Cittadini, Pavanello, Derbyshire, Gori, Burton
So the main news is that Robert Hartley and Ross Ford are both introduced into the Scots' lineup in place of injured duo Alasdair Strokosch and Dougie Hall.
The Azzurri have made one change to the team that heroically beat France last weekend; the injured Alberto Sgarbi has been ruled out with an ankle injury, so Gonzalo Canale comes into the side.
Both sides are out onto the field, with the national anthems being blasted out.
On a personal note, I love the Italian national anthem. Such a happy and uplifting showing. ITALIA!
And here comes the bagpipes. Oh flower of Scotland...
Scotland met Italy twice at Murrayfield in 2011, once in the Six Nations, and beat them both times.
However, Italy were victorious over the Scots on home soil in the tournament last year.
Jaco Peyper, the South African, is the referee for today.
And we're underway with Rory Jackson's kick!
It's an overcast and gloomy day in Scotland.
Scotland wear blue and white tops, blue shorts and white socks, and will be driving from right to left.
Italy are sporting the all-blue strip and will be playing from left to right.
A great pace to start this match off and nearly an early try for Scotland. After a lovely passing build-up, Visser ran onto the kick on the right touchline, but couldn't quite reach it in time as the ball went dead.
Great early ambition from the Azzurri early on here, who refuse to play hoof-ball and are keen to drive forward at every opportunity.
PENALTY! Italy win the ball from the lineout and then take the ball into a ruck, Jim Hamilton however, finds himself on the wrong side of the pile and concedes a penalty.
OFF THE POST! Unbelievable stuff, as a great kick from the 22 from Luciano Orquera looks destined to score, but it comes off the post and back into play.
Scotland need to be careful that they don't give away too many silly penalties.
Italy enjoying some good attacking possession at the moment.
Excellent kicking from Masi who forces Scotland back into their own 22 in the second scrum, first chance for Italy to pressure the lineout.
Scotland win possession back though and drive towards the Italy try line.
Real roar from the crowd at Murrayfield, as Maitland looks to run down the right but is brought to a halt.
PENALTY! Laidlaw has a chance from the 22.
PENALTY SCORED! Scotland 3-0 Italy (Greig Laidlaw)
Laidlaw kicks straight through the middle and gets the first points of the day on the board.
The Italians go in search of an instant response and there are bodies flying everywhere on the halfway line.
There is a stoppage in play from the ruck, as Rob Hartley's hooking boot catches the head of the grounded Italy player. Cannot quite see who it is just yet.
Great work from Italy as they look to make their way forward, especially with Canale, but they then lose possession with a wayward pass.
An early highlight from this match, as the referee takes a ball to the head following an Italian ruck. He takes it in good spirit though...and in the face.
Italy are camping in the Scotland half at the moment, but the hosts are holding there own. Lineout for the Italians to come.
It's a very even game so far though at Murrayfield.
Italy break from the right and Canale tries the through ball off the pass from Orquera, Hogg makes the block and wins possession back well for the Scots.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND! Italy refuse to release the ball from the ruck, and Scotland have the decision on the halfway line.
Laidlaw opts to kick for territory and Scotland have a lineout on the Azzurri's 22.
Jackson opts for the crossfield kick coming out of the maul, Hogg and Maitland are bearing down on it but Zanni makes the catch.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND! The referee brings things back to the penalty decision following the catch.
PENALTY SCORED! Scotland 6-0 Italy (Greig Laidlaw)
No mistake from Laidlaw, who brilliants put the kick between the posts from the touchline to make it two kicks from two.
Scotland get a chance to run at Italy as Lamont offloads it to Scott, but he is tackled brilliant in the corner but Botes, and comes just short of the game's first try.
TRY! Scotland 11-0 Italy (Tim Visser)
CONVERSION SCORED! Scotland 13-0 Italy (Greig Laidlaw)
Scotland are patient with their build-up before working the ball to the left. Visser picks it up on the touchline, cuts inside his marker before bundling over the first try of the match.
Jackson had a big role to play in the try as well, who slipped the ball to Visser. Laidlaw maintains his 100% success ratio from the boot.
Commanding lead on the scoreboard for the Scots, how will Italy respond?
Italy are making a ton of mistakes at the moment as a result of Scotland's good defensive work. A knock-on gifts Scotland the advantage from the scrum.
Scotland's line speed has improved dramatically from their defeat to England, and Stuart Hogg is having a great game so far.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND! Italy concede another penalty as Scotland continue to move forward.
PENALTY TO ITALY! The Italians choose to pop the ball out of touch by the Scottish 22, with the penalty being awarded just a tad too far out for the scoring boot of Orquera.
Italy desperately trying to break down Scotland, but the host's great defending has forced the Italians into going backward.
PENALTY TO ITALY! Scotland's error gifts Italy a chance to get points on the board here.
PENALTY SCORED! Scotland 13-3 Italy (Luciano Orquera)
It was a low one, but Orquera just gives Italy their first points of the match.
HALF TIME: Scotland 13-3 Italy
After a speedy start to the match, Scotland go into half time with the lead following a Tim Visser try along with three kicks from three for Greig Laidlaw.
Italy have been poor compared to their display against France last week, with the Azzurri frequently making silly errors. However, Orquera's penalty kick just before the break has give the Italians some hope going into the second half.
Don't forget that later on today we will see France versus Wales at the Stade de France, and you can catch that live on Sports Mole a little later on.
The players are coming back out for the second half.
No changes to either side at the break. The next score will be crucial for the outcome of this contest.
And we're back underway.
Scrappy start to this second half with both sides gifting possession away. Italy have been eventually been awarded the penalty though.
TRY! Scotland 18-3 Italy (Matt Scott)
What was I saying? A terrific try from Scotland, they won the ball from their own lineout and worked the ball to the left touchline. The ball was play off the blindside to Matt Scott who eventually keeps hold of the ball before racing over to give Scotland a 15-point advantage.
CONVERSION SCORED! Scotland 20-3 Italy (Greig Laidlaw)
No mistake from Laidlaw who makes it four from four kicks with that conversion, commanding 17-point lead for the Scots now. Great start to the half.
Scotland seem to have the feel-good factor among them now and are well on top in this match.
TRY! Scotland 25-3 Italy (Stuart Hogg)
WHAT. A. TRY. I should be typing about Italy scoring now, but after making their way to the Scottish 5-metre line, Orquera's pass is intercepted by Hogg, who guns it to the other end of the field to score. Captivating stuff from Hogg.
CONVERSION SCORED! Scotland 27-3 Italy (Greig Laidlaw)
Five from five for Laidlaw now, who takes his own points tally to 12 for the match.
So 30 minutes to go, and Scotland are thoroughly in control.
After an energetic start to this half, the game has gone a bit quiet in the last few minutes. Italy need to do something to get back in this and soon. They are still trying to attack Scotland at every possible chance, so don't rule them out just yet.
Italy are camping on the Scotland five-metre line at the moment.
PENALTY TO ITALY! Scotland are penalised for not releasing the ball on the five-metre line, so a real chance for the Italians here to scrum it down over the line.
Italy are awarded another scrum just metres away from the try line, but Parisse fumbles the ball in front of the post, which pretty much sums up the Italians' day so far.
Murrayfield erupts as the Scottish scrum pushes the Italians backwards, eventually forcing the penalty. Italy have nothing to show from all their possession in the Scottish half.
SCOTLAND REPLACEMENT: Moray Low comes on to replace Ryan Grant in the front row.
Italy just can't get the break they need. The visitors work an overlap on the near side but the pass is poor and Scotland intercept and clear the ball.
Laidlaw kicks Scotland into the 22 after another silly mistake from Italy for a late tackle.
Richard Gray towers over Ghiraldini, and gets his claws all over the pondering Italian before forcing him into touch.
Scotland think they have added another try in the corner as Scott goes over, but the replays show that the ball just went forward. No try.
A neat little move from Scotland nonetheless.
Italy have a scrum on their own five-metre line and win the penalty. Their kick is a clear sign of just getting away from danger. Lineout now at the halfway line.
SCOTLAND REPLACEMENT: Alastair Kellock on for Jim Hamilton.
ITALY REPLACEMENT: Simone Favaro comes off, Paul Derbyshire is on for Italy. Derbyshire has an English father if you were wondering about the name.
TRY! Scotland 32-3 Italy (Sean Lamont)
Sean Lamont makes sure of the match as he goes hard into a ruck on the halfway line, earns the turn over and races clear over the line.
CONVERSION SCORED! Scotland 34-3 Italy Laidlaw with the kick....you know the rest.
Scotland have worked so hard today and given the Italians no breathing space. Their line speed has been top class, and they deserve this big win.
SCOTLAND REPLACEMENT: Max Evans comes on for the superb Stuart Hogg.
The crowd are bellowing out 'Flower of Scotland' at Murrayfield. A brilliant afternoon of rugby for the Scots.
TRY! Scotland 34-8 Italy (Alessandro Zanni)
Italy finally have something to show for their hard work, as Zanni crashes over for the Azzurri off the pass of Sergio Parisse.
CONVERSION SCORED! Scotland 34-10 Italy (Kristopher Burton)
Burton scores from wide to put Italy into double figures.
So the Scots lead 34-10 with four minutes to go at Murrayfield.
SCOTLAND REPLACEMENT: The brilliant Greig Laidlaw is replaced by Henry Pygros.
Italy have come alive in these dying minutes, but it is a bit late to be honest.
Confident stuff from the Scots, as they try to run the ball from deep, passes being strung together nicely.
The clock is red, dying seconds of the game. Last chance for an Italy score.
Italy awarded a penalty in the final moments, but this will be it surely.
FULL TIME: Scotland 34-10 Italy
The final whistles sounds at Murrayfield, and Scotland are up and running in the Six Nations with a four-try victory over the Italians. It was an impressive performance from the Scots who, once they went in front, dictated the play.
Scotland were much improved from their defeat to England last week, and deserved their big win. Italy failed to build on their heroics over France last Sunday, and they were never given a chance to get back into the match.
Man-of-the-match Laidlaw was superb with the boot and his hands, tries from Tim Visser, Matt Scott, Stuart Hogg and Sean Lamont helped Scotland to a brilliant win.
What's next for the two sides? Italy host Wales in two-weeks time, while Scotland welcome Ireland to Murrayfield the day after.
That's it from me. Don't forget that you can catch action of France against Wales with Sports Mole later on. I hope you've enjoyed today's action from Murrayfield. See you soon.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
