Scotland responded promptly, taking the ball back up to the halfway line. Three collapsed scrums later and Scotland got started again, taking the penalty. Fergus Burkes boot launched Scotland further up field but a strong Italian defence were able to lock the door on Scotland holding them out from scoring.  

Reed looked to take the ball over the line after Scotland shipped the ball out wide but it was inevitably Gregor Hiddleston that charged over Italy’s tryline to take the first points of the night (0-7, 17 mins). A strong series of passes from Italy saw them nearly retaliate and score some points of their own, looking to benefit from a successful lineout, only for the ball to slip loose soon after. 

Burke’s boot yet again took Scotland up field only for another display of Italy’s strong defence to hold Scotland up from many of their set pieces, Scotland responded with a series of large passing plays making them some well fought metres, the ball soon however returned for another line out. Italy benefitted from a penalty, again kicking the ball up into Scotland’s half, with a Lineout following. By utilizing their forwards to charge into traffic and initiating a strong Maul, Italy went over the line, gaining their first taste of points for the night (7-7, 29 mins).  

Italy promptly added to their points with a quick break from Gasperini after a lineout on Scotland’s 5m line. (14-7, 35 mins)  

A strong Scotland 50:22 saw Scotland initiate an attack that inevitably saw Kyle Rowe dot down in the corner after a strong phase play. (14-12, 38 mins).  

Scotland regained possession on their own 5m line, kicking the ball out to mark the end of the first half.  

Half-time: Italy XV 14-12 Scotland A 

Scotland started their second half firing, attempting to force a mistake from a kick only for Italy to return the ball just shy of the halfway line and then steal the ball in the line out. While Italy looked for a positive attack off the back of this, Scotland were able to regather and stampede up field. Scotland responded with a strong lineout of their own, followed by a maul. Italy attempted to hold Scotland away from scoring, but Cameron Redpath was the one to set the ball down in the end (14-19, 48 mins). 

Italy didn’t take long to respond with a try, a strong attack saw Gallorini go over the line, giving them their first points of the half (21-19 50 mins). 

A penalty against Scotland allowed Italy Fly-Half Montemauri to add an extra three points to increase their lead (24-19, 54). 

Italy’s strong attack began to fade after Scotland stole possession in a line out, with a flowing Scottish attack placing the ball into Kyle Rowe’s hands to see the winger take his second try of the evening (24-24, 61 min).  

Scotland looked for a response following a yellow card, charging onto Italy under a kick, only for the ball to soon return to the halfway line by way of a strong Italian run. A dominant Scottish line out unlocked a reinvigorated attack, with a yellow card against Italy seeming like the perfect opportunity for a Scottish response. Italy’s strong defence inevitably held away the Scots, with Rowe narrowly missing out on a hat-trick after being deemed out of play. 

Regaining possession in the final moments of the match, Scotland were eager to push for a winner but with the ball falling back into Italian possession, the match would end in a well-fought draw. 

Full-time Italy XV 24-24 Scotland A

Italy: Mirko Belloni, Leonardo Antonio Sodo Migliori, Francois Carlo Mey, Giulio Bertaccini, Simone Gesi, Giovanni Montemauri, Lorenzo Citton; Davide Ruggeri, Nelson Casartelli, Giulio Marini, Alessandro Ortombina, Matteo Canali, Marcos Francesco Gallorini, Nicholas Gasperini, Destiny Aminu. 

Replacements: Luc Franceschetto, Paulo Buonfiglio, Fabio Maria Morosi, Alex Mattioli, Giacomo Ferrari, Cristiano Tizzano, Simone Brisighella, Alessandro Forucci. 

Scotland: Harry Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks); Fergus Burke (Saracens), Gus Warr (Sale Sharks); Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Gregor Hiddleston (Glasgow Warriors), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Captain) (Bordeaux Bègles), Alex Craig (Glasgow Warriors), Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh Rugby), Alexander Masibaka (Montpellier). 

Replacements: Harri Morris (Edinburgh Rugby) (for Hiddleston, 48 mins), Alec Hepburn (Scarlets) (for Sutherland, 41 mins), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers) (for Rae, 41 mins), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) (for Onyeama-Christie, 65 mins), Euan Ferrie (Glasgow Warriors) (For Gray, 48 mins), Josh Bayliss (Bath) (for Masibaka, 47 mins), Ben Afshar (Glasgow Warriors) (for Warr, 61 mins), Dan Lancaster (Glasgow Warriors) (for Burke, 61 mins). 

Referee: Daniele Pompa (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Gabriel Chirnoaga (FIR), Edoardo Pelliccioni (FIR) 
Attendance: 2,500
Player of the Match: Marcos Gallerini 

The post Match Report: Italy XV 24-24 Scotland A appeared first on Scottish Rugby.

Scotland A Head Coach Nigel Carolan said: “It’s brilliant to have these quality players all working under one roof, all working towards a similar goal. To get that game on Friday night to show off the next tier of players is a fantastic opportunity.”

“Theres a blend of experience and some youth from guys who have shown form for their clubs, I think it just shows how clear of an opportunity it is for the guys playing to show off their wares”

“It’s a real opportunity to broaden the depth in the Scottish system, but also to have a look at some of the players up and coming, I think it serves a purpose on multiple levels.”

The team

The stats

• Jonny Gray last captained the Scotland A side in 2014 at the age of 19, now with 81 full caps behind him Jonny will look to lead by example once more.
• Scotland A’s last match, against Chile, resulted in a 19-17 win at Hive Stadium
• 20 of the players selected for the A squad have previously won full caps.

The post Preview: Scotland A v Italy XV appeared first on Scottish Rugby.

Rory Sutherland and D’arcy Rae are involved at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, joined in the front row by Gregor Hiddleston at hooker.

Vice-Captain Andy Onyeama-Christie starts at blindside flanker, Freddy Douglas begins on the openside and Alexander Masibaka is named at number 8 to complete the pack.

Scrum-half Gus Warr will be partnered by Vice-Captain Fergus Burke in the half-backs, and in the centres, Cam Redpath takes the inside while Ollie Smith will start at outside.

Elsewhere, Kyle Rowe will start on the right wing, while Arron Reed is on the left wing, with the starting XV completed by Harry Paterson at full-back.

In the replacements, recent Scotland debutant Harri Morris is selected at hooker with Alec Hepburn, Will Hurd and Magnus Bradbury the others set to come on in the front and second row. Back rows Josh Bayliss and Euan Ferrie bolster the forward replacements.

With a 6-2 split, replacement backs Ben Afshar (scrum-half) and fly-half Dan Lancaster make up the remaining selection.

Cameron Henderson has been ruled out of the game with an upper arm injury.

The match marks the first time Scotland A have been action since their win against Chile last year.

Scotland A team to face Italy XV Stadio Centro D’italia in Rieti on Friday 6 February, kick-off 5:30pm GMT/6.30pm local – live on YouTube 

15. Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
14. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors
13. Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors
12. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
11. Arron Reed – Sale Sharks

10. Fergus Burke – Saracens – Vice-Captain
9. Gus Warr – Sale Sharks

1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors
2. Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
3. D’arcy Rae – Edinburgh Rugby
4. Jonny Gray- Union Bordeaux Bègles – Captain
5. Alex Craig – Glasgow Warriors
6. Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens – Vice-Captain
7. Freddy Douglas – Edinburgh Rugby
8. Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier

Replacements

16. Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
17. Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
19. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby
20. Euan Ferrie – Glasgow Warriors
21. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby
22. Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
23. Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors

The post Gray to captain A side against Italy XV appeared first on Scottish Rugby.

Darcy Rae has also joined the Scotland A squad with Ollie Blyth Lafferty drafted into the Scotland U20s to face Italy U20 this weekend. James Whitcombe has been ruled out of the A squad through injury.

The A team, which will also include players from within the Scotland Men’s squad, will be led by head coach Nigel Carolan, who is attack coach at Glasgow Warriors. He will be assisted by fellow Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Scott Forrest and Edinburgh Rugby assistant coach Stevie Lawrie.

The match squad for the A team game will be announced on Wednesday and the game will be streamed live on YouTube

Forwards

Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
Euan Ferrie- Glasgow Warriors
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens
Darcy Rae- Edinburgh Rugby
Seb Stephen – Glasgow Warriors

Backs

Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks
Gus Warr- Sale Sharks

The post Scotland A Updated Squad appeared first on Scottish Rugby.

As part of the new performance pathway plans, A matches have been identified as a key way to develop players by competing at a high level ahead of making the step up to the national squad.

The side, which will also include players from within the Scotland Men’s squad, will be led by head coach Nigel Carolan, who is attack coach at Glasgow Warriors. He will be assisted by fellow Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Scott Forrest and Edinburgh Rugby assistant coach Stevie Lawrie.

Uncapped players in the squad include Gregor Hiddleston and Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, coupled with experience from the likes of Andy Onyeama-Christie and Cameron Redpath.

Hooker Hiddleston has impressed with Glasgow Warriors as part of a squad who qualified top of their European Champions Cup pool. Harri Morris, who made his full Scotland debut in November, is the third hooker selected.

Tighthead prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, who made his full Edinburgh debut earlier this season, is joined by clubmate James Whitcome, who arrived at Hive Stadium for the 2025/26 season as well as fellow props Alec Hepburn and Will Hurd.

Elsewhere, second row Cam Henderson is joined by Onyeama-Christie and Alexander Masibaka, to bolster the back row options alongside full Scotland squad members.

In the backs, stand-off Dan Lancaster has been rewarded for recent good form for Glasgow Warriors with a first international call-up to Scotland ranks, with scrum-halves Gus Warr and Ben Afshar completing the half-back options.

Full caps Harry Paterson, Arron Reed and Cam Redpath, the latter of whom has 15 outings for Scotland, complete the A squad.

Scotland A squad

Forwards
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Alec Hepburn – Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers
Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier
Harri Morris – Edinburgh Rugby
Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens
James Whitcombe – Edinburgh Rugby

Backs
Ben Afshar – Glasgow Warriors
Dan Lancaster – Glasgow Warriors
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks
Gus Warr- Sale Sharks

The post Scotland A squad to face Italy next month named appeared first on Scottish Rugby.

Scotland A fixtures have returned in recent times with the side defeating Chile in Santiago 45-5, in 2022, before edging victory over the same opponent, 19-17, last November at Hive Stadium.

The side will be led by head coach Nigel Carolan who is attack coach at Glasgow Warriors. He will be assisted by fellow Glasgow Warriors assistant coach Scott Forrest and Edinburgh Rugby assistant coach Stevie Lawrie. Lawrie was involved in the coaching staff last year in the game over Chile.

Carolan joined Glasgow Warriors in 2021 from Connacht and played a key role in Glasgow’s URC title winning success in 2024.

The match against Italy XV will take place on the same night as Scotland U20 open their Six Nations campaign against the Italians with that match set to be played in Treviso.

Scotland A head coach Nigel Carolan said: “It’s a great honour for me to lead Scotland A at the start of next year. Having been here for four years coaching some of the best players in the country, to be head coach of the Scotland A team is a privilege and something I’ll cherish.

“The match will be beneficial for all involved, giving players the opportunity to play a competitive match against what will be a strong Italy side.

“It’s great to have both Stevie (Lawrie) and Scott (Forrest) alongside me in the coaching team. Stevie is well established with Edinburgh and has done a great job with their forwards. He also has good experience with Scotland A having been in the coaching set-up last year.

“Having worked with Scott for the last six months, I’ve seen first hand how professional and detailed he is. He’s doing really well with the defence at Glasgow and I look forward to seeing that transferred to Scotland A.

“We will travel to Rome with the men’s team and that will give our players good exposure to the international set-up as Gregor’s team prepare for a huge game to open their Six Nations.”

Scottish Rugby Performance Director, David Nucifora, said: “Scotland A matches are incredibly valuable for a number of reasons and we’re looking forward to playing Italy over in Rome before the men’s Six Nations begins.

“Scotland A matches offer an opportunity for young players to get a taste for international rugby and also provide game time for players on the fringes of the national squad.

“Nigel Carolan is the perfect fit to lead the team this time around given his experience with Glasgow and the knowledge he has of the players. Stevie (Lawrie) and Scott (Forrest) are both talented coaches and will contribute to a nice blend within the coaching team.

“Friday 6 February will be a brilliant opportunity for a number of Scottish players with the 20s in action on the same day, giving everyone involved valuable game time opportunities at a high level.”

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