San Francisco Frontiers - Townsend accepts pressure will mount on him after Italy defeat

The 52-year-old had his head in his hands when the final whistle went -- his body language as negative as the horrendous weather which had left puddles all over the pitch.

Townsend only signed a new contract last September -- up until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup -- but that had not quietened the critics, especially after poor results in last Autumn's Tests.

Townsend, who had denied a report in a British newspaper that he is destined to take over as coach of ambitious Prem club Newcastle Red Bulls in 2027, said he was standing by his team.

"Pressure, of course there is, it is part of the game," he told the BBC.

"Of course there'll be criticism for the result and the performance.

"I'm with my team. I was hugely proud of the effort they put in at the end, trying to find a way to win."

Townsend, whose best finish in a Six Nations since he took over in 2017 is third, has to prepare his team to face England in Edinburgh next Saturday.

Arguably his best results have come against the 'Auld Enemy' with five wins, but he conceded that Scotland had to avoid a repeat of their slow start against the Italians, who ran in two tries inside the opening 15 minutes.

"It was really tough and we know we need to be better in that first 20 minutes," he said.

"I believe in them, I believe in what we're doing. Today, it didn't happen and we're going to make sure it happens next week."

Townsend acknowledged that the result was "hugely disappointing" but said that he could not fault his players for the shift they put in.

"The effort was there," he said. "We just gave away too many possessions.

"It was extremely difficult in the second half but the effort the players put in was tremendous -- just not enough to win the game."

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, part of a dynamic backline that failed to fire, said it was "very frustrating".

- 'Dream in our head' -

Scottish despair was in stark contrast to the joy on all the Italian players' faces.

Having led throughout, they managed to hold off a final Scottish burst, as the visitors failed to match the Azzurri's own comeback from 12 points down to win in 2024.

"Absolutely incredible," purred Italy's inspirational captain Michele Lamaro.

"I think that shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, for this country.

"This is us."

It proved a memorable way for Lamaro, Juan Ignacio Brex and Paolo Garbisi to celebrate their 50th caps.

"I couldn't ask more (on my 50th cap) from the boys," Lamaro said.

"It's been an absolute pleasure for me, an absolute honour to get this big achievement.

"We couldn't ask our team-mates to do more.

"Now we've got a dream in our head. We keep going on."

The 27-year-old flanker smiled when asked what that dream was.

"I will keep it in my head."

For Louis Lynagh it was also a memorable day.

The 25-year-old wing, who was born in Italy but brought up in England, scored the opening try and then his stunning take from an up-and-under led to the second score.

His father, Australian legend Michael Lynagh, had been there to watch him.

Lynagh said he was licking his lips in anticipation of facing Ireland, who were hammered 36-14 by France on Thursday, in Dublin next Saturday.

"Winning here under these conditions gives us a lot of confidence against Ireland," he said.

"We will have another game plan for the Irish."

I.Wright--SFF