Full-back Jacopo Trulla sealed a brilliant 32-22 opening victory for Italy at Netherdale as he crossed in the final minutes to quell a Scottish comeback.
The visitors held the lead at the break after Matteo Nocera finished off a simple try before Scotland turned it around through Connor Boyle and Charlie Jupp.
Niccolo Taddia and Federico Mori put the Italians back in front and, despite a reply from Rufus McClean with 10 minutes left, Trulla secured the win late on.
It was a tight opening 20 in Galashiels, with an early penalty from Garbisi the only points.
The hosts had clearly come to play though and, despite Scotland pushing hard into the Italians’ 22, they got the first try of the match after 23 minutes when Nocera crossed easily.
Garbisi couldn’t convert but added three from the tee shortly after, leaving it 11-3 at the break.
Scotland came firing out the blocks in the second half, with skipper Boyle leading by example and muscling his way over.
Ross Thompson added the extras before the Scots were crossing again just four minutes later through Jupp, Thompson again converting.
But the Italians hit back through hooker Taddia as he forced his way over from close range, Garbisi’s conversion nudging the visitors back in front.
The visitors tested the Scots’ defence over a long stretch of phases and eventually broke through, Mori the man to cross.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, substitute McLean gave the hosts hope when he dived over.
However, it wasn’t to be, as Jacopo’s 79th-minute score handed the Italians a hard-fought first win of the Championship.
