Italy edge poor Scotland 18-15 in rain-drenched Rome

ROME, Feb 7 : Winger Louis Lynagh scored one try and made another as Italy edged Scotland 18-15 in their Six Nations Championship opener at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, a match played in torrential rain that limited the ability of both sides to attack.

Centre Tommaso Menoncello also crossed for Italy, who were dominant in the scrum and picked off several Scotland lineouts as they completed only their second win over their opponents in the last 16 meetings.

Scotland were well below par in a sluggish start to their campaign, but managed tries through number eight Jack Dempsey and scrumhalf George Horne, and stayed in the contest until the end.

"Obviously, the guys are very disappointed," Scotland coach Gregor Townsend told BBC. "The effort was there. A lot of what we trained was in place. We just gave away too many possessions.

"Of course, there'll be criticism for the result and the performance. I'm with my team.

"I was hugely proud of the effort they put in at the end, trying to find a way to win. It was really tough and we know we need to be better in that first 20 minutes."

The Scots were not helped by a second-half yellow card for replacement hooker George Turner, but were unable to play their usual high-tempo game in slippery conditions and behind a creaking set-piece. 

Italy made a fast start and Lynagh crossed in the corner inside eight minutes, before Menoncello added a second to give the hosts a 12-0 lead.

It took a full 20 minutes for Scotland to click into gear, but when they did they advanced into the Italy 22 and Dempsey crossed from close range.

Paolo Garbisi landed a penalty to give Italy a 15-7 lead at halftime.

The conditions did not improve in the second period and it turned into an arm-wrestle among the