Summary

  • Darge & Jones both go over in opening nine minutes & White adds third

  • Brex with intercept try after four Allan penalties for Italy

  • Jones crosses twice just after hour to ease tension for Scots

  • Italians won meeting in Rome last year

  1. Until next time...published at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    That'll do us for today, methinks.

    I'll leave you with highlights below, and you can also read Tom English's match report.

    Thanks for your company this afternoon - enjoy the rest of your weekend.

    Media caption,

    Scotland survive Italy comeback after Huw Jones hat-trick

  2. Across the Irish sea...published at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    The other game in the Six Nations today is about to kick off in Dublin, as Ireland host England.

    Scotland will be keeping a keen eye on that one, given they host Ireland next weekend.

  3. 'Most important element was the mental challenge' - Townsendpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC Sport: "I think a lot of the forwards provided a platform at times, they worked really hard.

    "We had to defend our line on two or three occasions in that second half so it was a tough opening game but we managed to get the win.

    "I was more frustrated with the minutes and the opportunities before the score was level we weren't taking. If you're knocking on the door, and you continue to knock on the door, those moments will come.

    "Credit to the players to get the win and that bonus point which might be important in the end.

    "There were a lot of positives aspects today. Huw [Jones] is a very, very good defender. Today he supported very well and it's great that he got those tries.

    "There was a physical challenge today. The most important element today was the mental challenge. To come together as a team on the field to find solutions and find a way to win which will be important in the next games."

  4. Postpublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Let's hear from the Scotland head coach, shall we?

  5. 'We didn't perform'published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19

    Italy captain Michele Lamaro tells BBC Sport: "It's been a very tough game.

    "In the first half we didn't play the game we wanted to but we went in at half time 10 points down.

    "Stepping back into the second half we wanted to show something and I think we did for a few moments. We got to 19-19 but we couldn't perform in attack today and I think that cost us a lot.

    "They put us under pressure a lot in the breakdown and we couldn't solve that problem. That meant we couldn't play the game we wanted to play.

    "Honestly, we didn't perform."

  6. Postpublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Martin Johnson
    England's World Cup winning captain on BBC One

    There were times when Scotland stopped executing. They lost their intensity after the first half.

    They got it back, but they know they can't do that for a minute next week.

  7. 'We left four or five tries out there'published at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Scotland co-captain Finn Russell tells BBC Sport: "It was good to battle at the end for the win but we'll need to be a lot better if we want to do anything in this tournament.

    "For me personally my mistake was frustrating. The mistakes, the looseness we had, were probably individual [errors] which will be easier to fix. We'll come back Monday or Tuesday and sort a few things out.

    "Huw [Jones] was outstanding today. I thought Stafford [McDowall] was really good at 12 as well. The backs worked really well together, created a lot of chances and if we're going to do anything in this tournament we have to try and finish those off.

    "There were probably four of five tries we left out there today."

    Finn Russell kicks at goalImage source, SNS
  8. 'Ireland challenge enormous'published at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    John Barclay
    Former Scotland captain on BBC One

    All the talk from the Scotland camp is they aren't looking beyond the next game.

    The Ireland game is massive. The challenge is enormous and they will have to be substantially better than they were today.

  9. 'A massive win for us' - Grahampublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Darcy Graham in action for ScotlandImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland winger Darcy Graham tells BBC Sport: "It was good to get back out there, it's such a different atmosphere, the hype starts early.

    "It's been frustrating not playing the last couple of Six Nations but I'm happy to be back.

    "We've got a couple of things to work on but the carries I got influenced the game and some big moments off the back of that which I'm happy with.

    "Credit to Italy today, they were a quality team. The improvements they've made over the last few seasons are incredible. It was a really hard game and I think the boys were a bit nervous about the first game.

    "They build the scoreboard and that kind of puts pressure on us to go away from our gameplan. It's a massive win for us, a massive start to our campaign and plenty of things to learn for next week.

    "Penalties kept them in the game, it was our mistakes, so it was just about sticking to our gameplan and wait for somebody to bring that spark."

  10. 'Italy must work hard for next week'published at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Sergio Parisse
    Former Italy number eight on BBC One

    The first 10 minutes was not a good start for Italy. In the second half they tried to put some doubt in the Scottish team.

    Scotland deserve the win and Italy must work hard for next week.

  11. Watch Jones' 'vital' second trypublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Huw Jones' second try, after a wonderful jinking run from Darcy Graham, wrestled the momentum back Scotland's way.

    Media caption,

    Jones scores 'vital' try for Scotland after brilliant run from Graham

  12. 'Thanks to the boys for setting me up'published at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Scotland hat-trick hero and player of the match Huw Jones tells BBC Sport: "I'm pretty happy.

    "It's not every day you manage to get on the end of three so thanks to the boys for setting me up.

    "It was a big turning point [Jones' second try], there wasn't really anything on for him but Darcy [Graham] will find a gap when there isn't one. I just had to try and keep up with him.

    "I don't want to say that our confidence is sky high, we're happy with the win today but our focus is on taking it week by week."

    Huw Jones celebratesImage source, SNS
  13. 'Scotland found a way'published at 16:07 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Sam Warburton
    Former Wales captain on BBC One

    It was a good performance overall.

    There were moments where Italy dominated, but Scotland just found a way to take back control.

  14. 'Scotland trusted their composure'published at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    FT: Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Chris Paterson
    Former Scotland international on BBC One

    Scotland passed a test here this afternoon. They started very well and it was just too much of a gap for Italy to close.

    Of course there will be things to work on but the most important thing is Scotland's composure.

    Even when the pressure was on and the momentum was with Italy, they trusted their composure and that's what Gregor Townsend will be most proud of.

  15. Full-timepublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Scotland force a penalty at the breakdown, and that is that.

    Gregor Townsend's side made it difficult for themselves at times, but Huw Jones' hat-trick means they have come away from their Six Nations opener with a bonus-point win.

    They will have to improve against Ireland, but five points are not to be sniffed at.

    Scotland celebrateImage source, PA Media
  16. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Italy win a penalty after Will Hurd is pinged for a high tackle.

    Paolo Garbisi goes into the corner with under a minute left.

  17. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Ross Vintcent, on in the back row for Italy, drops the ball after multiple Italian phases.

    Scotland escape again.

  18. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Italy kick another penalty into the corner.

    Can Scotland keep them out again? There are four-and-a-half minutes left.

  19. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    My colleague Andrew Petrie has just messaged me to say a certain Scotland centre has had a Huw-ge impact on this game.

    He followed it up with 'Huw-re welcome'.

    Dearie me.

  20. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Scotland 31-19 Italy

    Heads in hands for the Italians.

    Simone Gesi breaks through but loses possession with the try-line beckoning.

    Murrayfield breathes a sigh of relief.