Mallett warns Italy to be wary of Scots' boot

Azzurri coach fears ability of classy rival kickers to punish indiscipline

NICK Mallett laughed off suggestions yesterday that it is only Scotland who have had problems scoring tries, but insisted that irrespective of their late team changes his side remained intent on providing an entertaining finale to the their RBS Six Nations Championship.

It is clear that Italy fear Scotland least in this championship and much of that stems from the Scots' inability to seriously punish teams through the try route. Mallett admitted he had stressed to his side the danger of giving away penalties inside their own half when Chris Paterson, and Dan Parks, who proved against England how lethal he can be from long-range, are on the field.

But, when asked whether he felt the fact his team had scored four tries, despite four defeats, to Scotland's one in this championship would be significant, the 51-year-old just smiled.

"Our highest scorer is a tighthead prop with three tries (Martin Castrogiovanni]," he said, "and we've had a charged-down try, so although we have created some opportunities unfortunately we haven't taken many.

"Scotland have produced some very, very good defensive displays in all of their games, especially against England, so they're difficult opponents for us to play against. I was impressed by Scotland in their win over England last week; they were very well-organised and strong in defence.

"Obviously with the weather, I think it's going to be a nice day and I imagine they'll want to play attacking rugby, so, hopefully, we're going to see a really good game between two teams who've both got their different strengths."

He did not know the change at stand-off when he spoke with the media yesterday, as it had not yet been announced, but Mallett clearly knew what to expect of his opposite number and he insisted the Italian camp would not view the last-minute re-shuffle as a weakening of the Scotland team.

He said: "I feel very sorry for the winger who fractured his cheekbone last week (Rory Lamont], he's a really good player, and it seems that (Nikki] Walker also has an injury, but big (Simon] Danielli, who I know well, is also very quick; he's a big, strong player.

"And (Dan] Parks is a great tactical kicker, so if he plays Chris Paterson can play wing, and of course he is also a great goalkicker. Discipline will be very important for us with him playing for the opposition.

"But I don't really feel the changes have weakened Scotland at all. They're a side that are very similar to Italy in that I think they have a real identity, probably as much as Italy do. The Scots really play for their country and for their nation. They play with heart and with passion."

The former South Africa coach, who was born in England, moved to South Africa and went on to lead the Springboks to a record of 17 consecutive victories, is finding Italian rugby an intriguing challenge, but he is enjoying witnessing the passion they have for international matches first-hand.

Clearly, Mallett had hoped to strike a victory in the championship before now, but it was similarly clear that he was always acutely aware a first season in charge might reap little reward. It will take longer, he acknowledged, than five games to put his own stamp on the squad.

He has lost Mauro Bergamasco from this team, due to suspension, and is using this championship to try out a new half-back pairing of Andrea Masi and Simon Picone – Masi has also started with Pietro Travagli. Picone has played against Mike Blair, the Scotland scrum-half, before, at under-21 level, but then he was a centre.

Mallett appears comfortable with the way his squad is progressing and the challenge he faces today, though his demeanour in each of the games, as his side lost tries – notably when they let France off the hook last weekend – has revealed the famous Bok passion still burning only fractionally below the surface.

There was a playful smile when asked whether he felt his side had the ability to take on Scotland and beat them again, and by the five points needed to lift the spectre of a wooden spoon.

He was quick to dismiss talk of Italy's defeat to Scotland in the World Cup pool decider and also the Italians' win at Murrayfield last season as having little relevance to this match, or indeed to him. Revenge, he said, was not on his mind as he was not Italy's coach when the World Cup clash went down to the wire in Saint-Etienne.

He added: "I just want us to win this match and I want us to play well. I also want progress in our style of play – our backs have the capacity to do good things against Scotland.

"We want to win, and to win playing well as a group. We've shown in the first four games of the tournament that we can do good things both with the scrum as well as the three-quarters and that's why I say we want to win and want to do so with a great contribution from every man on the pitch.

"Of course, it is important for the team to win, but I don't want to win with just nine or 10 players. This team needs to continue to learn and this game is important in that regard.

"Italian fans are very passionate, and in the game against England (in Rome] they showed a splendid attitude toward our squad. They inspired us to give our best and were grateful to us despite the defeat. It'll be great to play Scotland in a (Stadio] Flaminio packed out with our supporters again."

Women hope to see Venice and finish on a high after testing campaignIT WAS agonisingly close for Scotland Under-20 in their final match of the Championship last night as they were edged out 14-13 by Italy in Mogliano.

It had to be a win for the Scots in the Stadio Comunale if they were to avoid a whitewash. But they got off to the worst possible start however when Italy No 10 Riccardo Boccino slotted a penalty after only three minutes following an Italian lineout drive.

It took the Scots 35 minutes to get on terms but Ruaridh Jackson's penalty was scant reward for a move started by a burst by Lee Jones and carried on by Paul Loudon and Stevie McColl to the Italian 22 for Jackson to collect the points and bring up a 3-3 half time scoreline.

Four minutes into the second half the Scots took the lead after a sything run by James Murray set up the scrum and prop Gary Strain was driven over for the try which Jackson converted.

Four minutes later Italy narrowed the gap with a Bocchino penalty then in 54 minutes, the home side took the lead with a try from prop Andrea De Marchi after center Roberto Quartaroli's break had taken play up to the Scots line.

This prompted a long spell of Italian pressure but the Scots held out, worked the ball downfield and a 20-metre burst by skipper Lewis Calder was halted just short but the Italians offended for Jackson to edge the Scots into the lead with a simple penalty with five minutes left.

Two minutes into injury time, with victory in Scotland's sights, an unncessary penalty gave Bocchino a chance to win the match with a 40-metre penalty which he cooly nailed leaving no way back for the Scots.

Scorers: Italy: Try: De Marchi; Pens Bocchino (3). Scotland: Try: Strain; Con Jackson; Pen: Jackson (2).

Italy U20: F Fiorani; A Bachetti, R Quartaroli, A Chiesa, E Rotella; R Bocchino, L Martinelli; A De Marchi, T D'Apioce, M Ravalle, G Bernini, A Cazzola, F Giusti, S Favaro, L Petillo. Subs L Zara, L Sabastiani, J Furno, L Puliti, M Nava, G Massaro, A Pratichetti.

Scotland U20: M Allan; L Jones, P Loudon, S McColl, T Bury; R Jackson, R Samson; G Strain, F Brown, L Niven, R Gray, J Brown, F McKenzie, C Simmonds, L Calder. Subs A Duncan, A Dixon, J Baird, S Burton, M Heeks, J Murray(for Bury 30mins).

• SCOTLAND Women know they must win in Italy tomorrow to avoid picking up the wooden spoon in the Six Nations. The Scots have lost all four of their matches in the championship so far but will know they have a good chance of picking up a win against last season's bottom side in Venice.