I haven't got on with either. The Scotch game seems to suit me - it's forcing, and you get a nice space advantage.
I'd wonder how important is it to play the Italian game or Ruy Lopez at all? And at what stage in their development?
I think the Italian Game and Ruy Lopez openings are popular choices because that opening can serve you from beginner through grandmaster. I don't think it is too important other than that though; following opening principles can do a lot. Personally, I used to play 1. e4 and the Scotch Game a lot when I was first starting out. After a while with some opening experimentation, I found that I enjoyed 1. d4 and the types of positions resulting from the Queen's Gambit: that was more my play-style compared to the often times tactical Scotch Game. I think some of my tactical nature remains though because I still usually love getting into sharp double-edged positions 
I read in a chess magazine 3 decades ago Kasparov suggesting the King's Gambit to intermediate players. It does require some study but not more 6 moves deep is enough as you play against post beginner and intermediate players.