Duncan Weir’s dramatic 40-metre drop goal with 30 seconds to play lifted Scotland to an unlikely comeback victory against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations in Rome.
The Scots, enveloped in gloom after the 20-0 defeat to England two weeks ago and 13-3 down at half-time in the Stadio Olimpico fought back with a brilliant second half featuring two outstanding solo tries by centre Alex Dunbar.
Man of the match Josh Furno scored to put Italy ahead again with barely five minutes remaining, but the Scots worked their way into position, their creaking scrummage just about held and Weir did the rest, despite two Italians bearing down on him and the intense drama of the situation.
It’s only Scotland’s third win in Rome in 14 years, and their first away win in the championship since 2010, and the 22-year-old’s winner means that the Scots are likely to escape the wooden spoon in the RBS 6 Nations.
The story of the match seemed likely to be the other fly-half Tomasso Allan, who had played at Under-20 level for Scotland throughout last year before opting for Italy.
The young fly-half born in Vicenza to a Scottish father and Italian mother kicked two penalties as the Scots infringed far too often, and then crowned that with what appeared ot be a crucial try right on half time.
Skipper Sergio Parisse did most of the damage with a break from a scrum in the Scottish 22 but Allan finished well taking two defenders over the line with him. The conversion mean the had all Italy’s points in leading 13-3 at thebhalf, Scotland’s penalty coming from skipper Greig Laidlaw.
The Scots came out in the second half with renewed vigour and after Laidlaw kicked them closer with a penalty, the captain’s decision to quickly tap a kickable award looked like a howler when the ball was turned over by the Italians.
However Laidlaw’s opposite number Eduardo Gori then spilled the ball coming out of his own 22 and the Scots moved it wide quickly, Dunbar slicing through a gap to the line.
Laidlaw missed the conversion, but when Scotland put Chris Cusiter on the veteran scrum-half played a big role in sharp off-loading work which allowed Dunbar to get in behind, shgrugging off two tackles to reach over the line, Weir landing the conversion.
Italy stormed back and more inspiring work from their captain Parisse set up Furno to gallop in for the try, Luca Orquera’s conversion taking Italy ahead again.
However the Scots were not to be denied and strong running from Sean Lamont and David Denton set up the position for Weir to be the hero.