Scotland Player Ratings vs. Italy In Round 1 Of The Guinness Six Nations

Scotland player ratings after an 18-15 Six Nations loss to Italy in Rome, as Gregor Townsend’s side struggles in brutal conditions at the Stadio Olimpico.

Feb 7, 2026 by Philip Bendon

Scotland Player Ratings vs. Italy In Round 1 Of The Guinness Six Nations

Gregor Townsend’s Scotland got its 2026 Guinness Six Nations campaign off to a disappointing start with an 18-15 loss to Italy at a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico.

Conceding two early tries to Louis Lynagh and Tomasso Menoncello, Scotland never was able to overhaul its hosts at any point in the fixture.

Despite being thoroughly outplayed, George Horne’s 66th-minute try gave his side hope of what would’ve been a morale-boosting win.

Instead, Scotland could not get enough of a foothold in the Italian territory and eventually was held up with time expired and the home supporters erupted into wild celebrations.

Here is how the Scottish players rated in Rome:

1. Pierre Schoeman – 2

Departed for a HIA in the first half only to return a scrum where the Scottish pack was shunted backward.

This trend continued as Italy battered Scotland at scrum time in dramatic fashion.

Around the park, the normally dynamic carrier was stunted by the Italian defense every time he carried.

2. Ewan Ashman – 2

Struggled to find his marks at line-out time, which nearly cost his side when chasing the game in tough conditions.

His high tackle in the 48th minute cost his side majorly. Instead of Rory Darge winning a penalty and Finn Russell clearing their lines, Garbisi knocked over three points to reestablish a two score lead. This would be his last action before being replaced.

3. Zander Fagerson – 2

Conceded a disappointing first-half knock-on and got clattered at scrum time in monsoon conditions.

At no point did Fagerson manage to get to grips with the Italian scrum, and this filtered into the rest of his game, where he was a non-factor.

4. Scott Cummings - 4

A challenging outing for the Lions secondrow, as he was unable to secure a clean ball on his team's own throw and rarely challenged the hosts.

A knock-on in the 76th minute cost Scotland valuable time to get a late score for a result.

5. Grant Gilchrist – 3

Plucked from the action early in the second half, Gilchrist had one of his quietest showings in a Scottish shirt.

Unable to get to grips with the line-out and largely ineffective around the park, the Edinburgh lock will be frustrated with his performance.

6. Matt Fagerson - 6

Conceded a penalty in the 33rd minute for jumping across the line-out, which allowed Italy to go beyond a score ahead.

This moment perhaps encapsulated the usually abrasive backrow, who still topped the tackle charts for his side, but just could not make an impact on the contest.

7. Rory Darge – 6.5

Saved Scotland from an early Italian try with a well-timed turnover in the 41st minute.

Seven minutes later, he won another key penalty, only to have it overturned when George Turner was pinged for an illegal clean-out at the breakdown.

8. Jack Dempsey – 8.5

Stepped beautifully in a tight carry to crash over for a much-needed try in the 23rd minute to get his side back into the contest.

Away from this moment, he was Scotland’s guaranteed go-forward carrier all afternoon.

Topping the carry charts with 20 for 53 meters was key to Scotland still being in with a shot late in the match.

9. Ben White – 6

Persisted with the box kick in monsoon conditions, which proved to be his side’s best entry into attacking areas.

Not every kick was pinpoint, but most were.

Away from the kicking game, the Toulon No. 9 struggled to get his back line moving.

10. Finn Russell – 4

Exceptionally quiet, which was unsurprising, given how much his pack was on the back foot throughout the contest.

A kickoff straight into touch cost his side a penalty when the Italian scrum blitzed Scotland.

His missed conversion denied Scotland a chance to sneak a win with a late drop goal, but in his defense, the conditions were brutally tough, and the kick was right on the touchline.

On the whole, it was a poor outing for Russell.

11. Jamie Dobie – 3

Playing out of position following a run of strong position for Glasgow on the wing, the scrumhalf lost an early aerial contest with Louis Lynagh in the build-up to the opening try.

This try continued throughout the first half, with Lynagh winning the aerial head-to-head.

Getting his positioning wrong at a kickoff just after Scotland had closed back into within a score, was costly, as Italy eventually won a penalty, which Garbisi slotted. This would be his final action before Darcy Graham replaced him in the 50th minute.

12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6

Pinged for a penalty in the 31st minute in a bid to limit Lynagh contesting with Dobie in the air.

Away from this moment, the Scottish skipper had a few crucial interventions, diving on loose balls and making last ditch tackles.

In attack, his impact was limited, which again is unsurprising, given how little quality ball the Scottish back line had.

13. Huw Jones - 3

Marshalled out of the fixture by the Italian defense and weather conditions, the dynamic Jones struggled with his few interventions.

Missing Tom Jordan with a poor pass when a try was on in the 64th minute, perhaps sums up his challenging afternoon.

14. Kyle Steyn – 6

Work rate personified with a moment where he competed for a kickoff before turning and chasing down Monte Ioane when Italy looked to go end-to-end.

On a more disappointing note, he was caught in no man’s land for Menoncello’s try.

On the whole, it was a mixed bag with positive moments in the air and some frustrating attempts with ball in hand.

15. Tom Jordan – 3

Pulled out of position for Lynagh’s try in what appeared to be a breakdown in communication between the back three.

Away from this moment, Jordan was pretty anonymous.

Replacements

16. George Turner – 3

Came on early in the second half in a bid to shore up the line-out but, unfortunately, the struggles continued.

A yellow card in the 54th minute overturned a promising attacking position for Scotland and allowed Italy to clear the lines.

17. Nathan McBeth – 4

Did relatively well at scrum time, given how dominant Italy was all contest, and had a few decent carries when Scotland was attacking the Italian defense.

18. Elliot Millar Mills – 3

Conceded a ludicrous penalty in the 69th minute, just when Scotland was getting back into the contest.

Outside of one scrum penalty won, it was a tough outing for the Northampton Saint.

19. Max Williamson – 3

Had a limited impact on the action when he entered the clash. He had just one carry and three tackles.

20. Gregor Brown – 3

Not for a lack of effort, but the Warriors utility forward just didn’t quite get to the pitch of contest.

A crucial knock-on early in his cameo, and then a forward pass off a line-out trick play, both were big moments.

21. George Horne – 8.5

Massively upped the ante when he came on in the 63rd minute.

The Glasgow scrumhalf nailed his box kicks and offered a key running threat at the base.

His quick thinking and pace to race into the corner in the 66th minute brought Scotland back from the brink.

22. Adam Hastings – N/A

An unused sub.

23. Darcy Graham – 5

Solidified the backfield with his coverage and special awareness.

In attack, the little magician had very few opportunities to make anything happen.

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