Six Nations: Few would attempt that Scotland score after being under the cosh - and certainly not England

If only, if only, if only. Here we go, here we go, here we go. Yes, it was Scotland (who else?), striving to finish with a flourish – again – which of course was only going to enhance the oh so familiar sensation of what might have been. Again.

Scotland's Duhan Van Der Merwe scores the first try of the match during a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at BT Murrayfield, on March 18, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

If only that lineout throw with five minutes remaining in Paris hadn’t been wonky and long. Scotland could have beaten France and surely on the back of that the second half against Ireland would have been different. Perhaps the Six Nations and a Grand Slam within our grasp.

And then Italy at Murrayfield could have been a procession. Which would have been fantastic and also funny. This was supposed to be a mere bagatelle of a match, like when a glitzy TV show has a D-list comedian warm up the studio audience. Ireland vs England, rounding off the final day, was the glitzy TV show, or presumably that had been the schedulers’ hope: both those teams going for a Slam in a winner-takes-all blockbuster, not just one of them.

But this marvellous, maddening tournament doesn’t always work out that way. And yesterday this contest didn’t work out the way Scotland would have preferred. For the last quarter, as Gregor Townsend’s men looked like they might throw it away, the game was maddening. Then, in overtime, it was marvellous.

Scotland's Ollie Smith during a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at BT Murrayfield, on March 18, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

In serious danger of conceding a try under the posts – with a conversion to win it for the Italians – the Scots wrestled back possession and, from their own line, instead of kicking the ball dead, decided to run it. Duhan van der Merwe made it to halfway and then the giant-striding Blair Kinghorn took over. Who else in the Six Nations – not England for sure – would have been quite so audacious?

Scotland had headed into the lunchtime kick-off knowing they could win convincingly and still only end up fourth. Then we could claim – very Scottish, this – the best-ever fourth-place finish in terms of entertaining and at times scintillating rugby. Hang on, the best just-off-the-medal-podium fourth in the entire history of everything.

Defeat the Italians for a hat-trick of wins and only come fourth which is also third from bottom? That’s maddening, all right. Especially after Twickenham and Van der Merwe’s wonder try. Especially after Finn Russell tearing Wales apart.

There was no Russell yesterday, no Stuart Hogg either, both injured, so this wasn’t just a game for looking back over those last few weeks wistfully, but for wondering what the future could look like without our biggest box-office stars.

Scotland's Blair Kinghorn celebrates with Jamie Ritchie as he scores the last try of the match during a Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Italy at BT Murrayfield, on March 18, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Kinghorn, in for Russell, thumped his chest to psyche himself up. Then, first involvement, a catch slithered around in his hands. The crowd gasped - because of the man he was replacing, scrutiny was bound to be intense - before he managed to get the kick away.

Ollie Smith, deputising for Hogg, began unspectacularly but effectively as his opposite number, Tommaso Allan, opened scoring with a penalty. Scotland replied immediately but how on earth did Van der Merwe score that try? He was totally airborne. The tackle in the corner had almost propelled his entire beefy frame into the front row of the West Stand. Almost, but with his left hand he was still able to pop the ball over the line.

There have been some amazing displays of elasticity and escapology from the wingers this year – touchdowns defying gravity, logic and boggling belief – but Van der Merwe seemed to have just topped the lot.

Scotland - playing in their change strips inspired by the fragrant 1960s junior shoplifters’ favourite confectionery, Parma Violets - decided to set up camp in the opposition 22. Kinghorn lunged hopefully for a follow-up score but the Italian defence was dogged. The visitors kept conceding penalties, however - not through any Parma violence or foul play from any other region of their country but collapsing the scrum three times in as many minutes eventually did for Marco Riccioni and the prop was yellow-carded.

Scotland took immediate advantage of the extra man and Kinghorn probably needed his first try to settle him down after an earlier slip and two less than pinpoint penalties into touch. The score was made for him by a clever dummy run by Sione Tuipulou, one half of Scotland’s outstanding midfield with Huw Jones. Both would have their supporters as our top man of the tournament, as would Russell. Maybe our trio should settle this with a televised debate. Actually no, we’ve had enough of them recently.

Scotland should have added a third try right on half time - echoes of last week against Ireland - but made quick amends after the restart. Kinghorn fired a penalty right into the corner this time and as the Scots piled on the pressure the fly half wound up for a charge with a little skip then burst through two tackles to score.

The grunt and heave of Italy’s forwards created some promising positions but loose passing at the crucial moment - twice the ball was flung straight out of play - let them down. It seems an age now since Scotland were this ponderous and profligate but from a comfortable, even commanding position Townsend’s team lost momentum amid a slew of substitutions and Italy began to sense a famous victory.

While they hammered and hammered at the Scotland line the giant screens flashed up a random message. “Nothing like being here,” it read. Many in the crowd at that precise moment might have wished they were at home, far away from all this stress. But this is Scotland, right? We know how it goes.