Hell breaks out after Italy score stunning try in frenetic first half of Autumn Nations Cup
Italy scored one of the tries of the weekend in a rip-roaring half of rugby in the Autumn Nations Cup this afternoon.
The Azzuri came into the game as underdogs after a lacklustre Six Nations showing.
Based on this first half showing, however, it looks like the Italians have gained a new lease of life in this new tournament. This try was arguably the try of the weekend from Wasps full-back Matteo Minozzi.
The Azzuri brought still managed to dominate at the scrum where they traditionally are strong with some scrums that looked more like mauls. The Scots, however, looked threatening out wide with the likes of Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe looking threatening out wide.
This score below from the Italians turned the tide back in the hosts favour just after a run in try from Van der Merwe.
Watch the sensational score, below.
Italy or Fiji?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wQPVIjfyoi
— Edward Barker (@EdwardB24376757) November 14, 2020
Just minutes earlier, Scotland had looked to take the initiative with a run in try from their left winger. Duncan Weir pulled the strings well in the first half after filling in for the injured Finn Russell and Adam Hastings.
A first try of the #AutumnNationsCup for @scotlandteam 🏴
Watch LIVE on #PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/cR0Av4fkA3
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 14, 2020
The first half ended with the scores standing at 11-7 to Italy in Florence.
In more news
Georgia make late change for England, upping the forward ante
🎥 #8nations Episode 2 | Week one in England 🏉
🎙 Beka Gorgadze (Back-Row), Tedo Abzhandadze (Fly-Half) and David Humphreys (HP consultant) take us behind the scene of prep week for @autumnnations Cup 2020 opener against @EnglandRugby
FULL EPISODE ➡️ https://t.co/WewQTlzdp7 pic.twitter.com/LsLYbMkOBt
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) November 13, 2020
Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili has made a change to the previously announced match-day squad against England, increasing his side’s forward power for the task of toppling England at Twickenham.
Lock Giorgi Javakhia, who was recovering from shoulder injury gets promoted to the bench instead of mid-fielder Deme Tapladze and so the Lelos will have six forwards and two backs on the bench against Eddie Jones’ England team.
“Results and how we play is not, for me, the measure of whether we play in the Six Nations or not,” Maisashvili said this week. “It’s a first opportunity for us and we need time. It’s not an excuse, but we need time. Who knows what will happen?
“But one thing I definitely promise – Georgia will fight in every game and Georgia will take from every game experience. Game after game we will try to show we are getting better.
GEORGIA TEAM VS ENGLAND
Backs: 15. Lasha Khmaladze (83 caps, 53 points), 14. Akaki Tabutsadze (3 caps, 30 points), 13. Giorgi Kveseladze (25 caps, 20 points), 12. Merab Sharikadze (67 caps, 60 points, captain), 11. Sandro Svanidze (*), 10. Tedo Abzhandadze (16 caps, 53 points), 9. Gela Aprasidze (26 caps, 24 points);
Forwards: 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (62 caps, 10 points), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (75 caps, 50 points), 3. Beka Gigashvili (14 caps, 5 points), 4. Lasha Jaiani (2 caps), 5. Grigor Kerdikoshvili (2 caps), 6. Beka Saginadze (13 caps, 5 points), 7. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (58 caps, 60 points), 8. Beka Gorgadze (28 caps, 40 points);
Substitutes: 16. Jaba Bregvadze (59 caps, 15 points), 17. Guram Gogichashvili (15 caps, 5 points), 18. Lexo Kaulashvili (1 caps), 19. Otar Giorgadze (26 caps, 25 points), 20. Tornike Jalagonia (1 cap); 21. Vasil Lobzhanidze (52 caps, 40 points), 22. Sandro Todua (86 caps, 65 points), 23. Giorgi Javakhia (2 caps)
