PRESSURE AT SCRUM GAVE VERN’S MEN UPPER HAND

THE front row, as a unit, were tremendous on Saturday. From the outside, it looked like Lorenzo Cittadini was under pressure but that is often accentuated as the tight-head is out on an island. It came down, as it usually does, to the pressure the entire front row put on the Italians. You could see that Scotland had looked at the last match and realised they had hurt themselves by being too aggressive and too uncontrolled. In Rome, Scotland steadily built the pressure and we saw scrums that lasted 10-20 seconds. Longer scrums are normally a sign of a side who are working hard and working together to exert relentless, gradual pressure on the opposition. And, that way, you are more likely to win penalties from the referee as it shows you are in control, not charging forward when it can become a 50/50 call, which was the case against Wales. The scrum became a weapon for Scotland and that clearly unnerved Italy. Vern Cotter’s men took away a part of the game that the Italians usually rely on. It was a really impressive display. The back row had a very good game in the loose, too. They scored two of the tries, through John Barclay and John Hardie, and Ryan Wilson had a great game as a link man. Jonny Gray was charging over the gainline and had an exceptional match. His brother, Richie, was brilliant putting pressure on the Italians in the lineout. That made them nervous and you could see they were not kicking to touch as much as last year’s game, where Italy’s ability to maul Scotland ended up being the difference. You have to put in a performance to beat Italy these days — it is not like a decade ago when they were always the whipping boys. But, right now, Scotland have done half a job. They have got the win they needed. Now it’s time to get the victory that makes it an improved tournament.