Italy down Scots

Italy ran in seven tries, with captain Manuela Furlan recording a hat-trick, to beat a brave Scotland.

Expected to be a close game, Italy stamped their mark on the game early on with two tries in the first nine minutes from Beatrice Rigoni and Furlan to race into a 12-0 lead thanks to scores.

However, Scotland fought back with Lana Skeldon touching down from a maul, followed by a Helen Nelson penalty cut the deficit to just two points only for a third Italian try from Ilaria Arrighetti to send the visitors into halftime ahead by 19-10.

Scottish hopes were hit soon after the restart when Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi spotted the lack of a guard at a ruck on the Scots try line to squeeze over and secure the bonus point for Italy. With Furlan getting her second try just before the hour-mark Italy had the game in the bag.

Rigoni completed her double and despite Emma Wassell’s late score, it was Furlan who had the final word to seal her hat-trick.

Italy will now host Ireland next weekend for third place, while Scotland will welcome Wales in a battle for fifth.

Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie;  14 Liz Musgrove;  13 Lisa Thomson;  12 Helen Nelson captain;  11 Megan Gaffen;  10 Sarah Law;  9 Mairi McDonald;  8 Siobhan Cattigan;  7 Rachel McLachlan;  6 Evie Gallagher;  5 Louise McMillan;  4 Emma Wassell;  3 Megan Kennedy;  2 Lana Skeldon;  1 Leah BartlettReplacements:16 Jodie Rettie; 17 Lisa Cockburn; 18 Panashe Muzambe; 19 Christine Belisle; 20 Nicola Howat; 21 Jenny Maxwell; 22 Evie Wills; 23 Coreen Grant

Italy:15 Victoria Ostuni Minuzzi; 14 Manuela Furlan; 13 Michela Sillari; 12 Beatrice Rigoni; 11 Maria Magatti; 10 Veronica Madia; 9 Sara Barattin; 8 Elisa Giordano; 7 Lucia Cammarano; 6 Ilaria Arrighetti; 5 Giordana Duca; 4 Valeria Fedrighi; 3 Lucia Gai; 2 Melissa Bettoni; 1 Erika SkofcaReplacements:16 Silvia Turani; 17 Gaia Maris; 18 Sara Tounesi; 19 Isabella Locatelli; 20 Beatrice Veronese; 21 Francesca Sgorbini; 22 Sofia Stefan; 23 Aura Muzzo