Joyously, there was a 70,000-capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium to witness what I would rank as Italy's finest ever Championship win and I have reported on all 14 of them including the last time they won in Rome, 11 years ago against Ireland.
Italian rugby fans have made patience into a virtue but now their prayers have been answered and the Stadio Olympico must become a citadel for the national team. It needs to become a bloody difficult place to win for any side under any circumstances.
After cruelly being denied that win over France two weeks ago, expectations were high yesterday and ticket sales went through the roof, and that's before you take into account a 15,000-strong Tartan Army. Italy have respect but no hang-ups over Scotland, they often go very well, and there was something in the air.
Italy had to deliver, at the very least a performance and ideally a win, and at 22-10 down approaching the half hour it wasn't looking promising against a fired-up Scotland who started as if the Sevens season had arrived a month early.
But this Italian team, the class of 24, are proving a resilient bunch and their fitness levels are unrecognisable from tournaments past. They don't fade away and go quietly in the second half anymore. They fight to the bitter end. Even against Ireland in Dublin when they were outclassed they kept the score respectable and their dignity intact.
Denne historien er fra March 10, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 10, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
