A WASHOUT ALREADY

Damp squib for sorry Scots in the Rome rain

- RODDY DUNCAN

SCOTLAND'S Six Nations campaign is already a damp squib after they lost their opener in rain-lashed Rome.

Hopes were high that a talented squad could make a title push but the pressure is now on coach Gregor Townsend after the worst possible start.

The fired-up Azzurri raced into a 12-point lead within 14 minutes and the Scots - with back-three big-hitters Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe all dropped amid question marks over their form - were unable to get their attack firing.

It was the first time since 2020 that Townsend's side had lost their opening Six Nations game.

The timing of this horror show could hardly be worse for the long-serving head coach, given his position was already under scrutiny after a poor autumn campaign and his contentious decision to take on a part-time consultancy role with Red Bull.

A Murrayfield clash with England is next up and gutted captain Sione Tuipulotu admits they will need to up their game.

He said: "Very frustrating.

We probably let them score too easily probably in the first 20 minutes.