Autumn Nations Series | Bigi: Italy need to deliver complete 80-minute performance

by Andy Baber

Italy captain Luca Bigi believes his side took another stride forward against Scotland but insists they still need to deliver a complete 80-minute performance.

The Azzurri were more than a match for Scotland in their opening game of the Autumn Nations Cup in Florence, with Franco Smith’s men leading for much of the contest.

A brilliant Matteo Minozzi score and two Paolo Garbisi penalties put the hosts 11-7 ahead at the break, with Duhan van der Merwe’s try – converted by Duncan Weir – keeping the Scots in touch.

But further tries from Scott Cummings, Zander Fagerson and George Turner ensured Scotland came from behind to seal all five points after Garbisi struck another couple of penalties.

And while the end result was not what Italy wanted, Bigi took plenty of encouragement from their physicality up front – even if they weren’t able to maintain it for the whole game.

“We knew that the opponent’s scrum package would be performing,” said Bigi.

“One of our focuses was to win the physical battle that promised to be. I think in an orderly scrum we were dominant for most of the match.

“We have added many small things to our performance. There was another step forward but we must maintain the duration of our performance for all 80 minutes.”

Italy will welcome Fiji in their next game of the Autumn Nations Cup, with the Azzurri due to host their second Group B fixture next Saturday at Stadio del Conero in Ancona.