Scotland ends Six Nations on high after edging Italy

Sat, Mar 18, 2023
Other News (AP)

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - Scotland can crank up its Rugby World Cup preparations in good stead after edging Italy 26-14 to complete an uplifting Six Nations campaign on Saturday.

The Scots rebounded from consecutive losses to Ireland and France - Nos. 1 and 2 in the world - with a third win to prove they're the best of the rest in the tournament. They should place third for only the second time in a decade.

But victory wasn't assured until seconds remained after Scotland attacked from a collapsed scrum in front of its posts and ran from behind its tryline. Blair Kinghorn sent wing Duhan van der Merwe haring up the left touchline, took the return pass just inside Italy's half and zoomed away from three defenders.

Upon his hat-trick try, Kinghorn's teammates poured on top of him in delight as Murrayfield released the tension that had been building as Italy came back from 19-6 down.

Italy has finished last in the championship for an eighth straight year and been whitewashed again. But the results disguise a competitive revival that had even France and Ireland in trouble until late in their matches.

Scotland felt the same heat from Italy as the visitors rallied in the second half with a Tommaso Allan try and Paolo Garbisi penalty to trail 19-14 with plenty of time left and Murrayfield subdued and tensing up.

Italy was hammering the Scotland tryline for the last few minutes until a knock-on in front of the posts gave the ball back to Scotland.

Cue breakout try to Kinghorn and relief.

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