Scotland blown away as inspired Italy earn first win
Women's Six Nations Italy (29) 41 Tries: D'Inca 2, Zanette 2, Muzzo, Vecchini, Duca, Cons: Sillari 3 Scotland (0) 14 Tries: Skeldon, Poolman Cons: Nelson 2 Scotland's hopes of a top-three finish in the Women's Six Nations suffered a significant setback as they were blown away by an inspired Italy side who registered their first win of the tournament in Parma. The Scots were looking to bounce back after last weekend's thrashing against England at Murrayfield, but were second best throughout as the Azzurri repeated last season's victory in Edinburgh on home soil. First-half doubles from Alyssa D'Inca and Vittoria Zanette and a try from Aura Muzzo put the home side in complete control with a 29-0 lead at the break.
Vittoria Vecchini and Giordana Duca added further Italian scores, while Lana Skeldon and Molly Poolman responded for the Scots. Italy host England next on Saturday 9 May, with Scotland at home to France on the same day. The Azzurri started at a high tempo and hit the front when they caught the Scots napping with a quick tap penalty.
Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi made good inroads before the ball was whipped wide to D'Inca, who added another try against Scotland having scored in Italy's victory in Edinburgh last season. Scotland suffer baptism of fire on emotional Murrayfield occasion All the latest Scottish rugby news The loss of captain Rachel Malcolm to injury shortly before kick-off may have played on the minds of the Scottish players as they failed to come out the blocks. Italy were not in the mood to wait around and prop Zanette crashed over on her first Test start to stretch the home side's lead.
It took 25 minutes for the Scots to muster an entry into the Italian 22, only to be turned over as they worked their way towards the try line. A wonderful break up the touchline from D'Inca left the Scottish defence scrambling and Zanette took advantage of the chaos to plough over for her second try, Italy's third. They wrapped up the bonus point when Veronica Madia spun a beautiful pass out wide for D'Inca to dive over in the corner for her second score.
Italy were cooking, Scotland were floundering and a slick backline move cut the visitors open as Muzzo steamed on to a clever inside ball from Madia to go in under the sticks and effectively end the contest before half-time. The traffic continued to flow only one way after the break and hooker Vecchini was able to touch down after an Italian lineout maul powered over the Scottish line. Yellow cards for Madia and Elisa Giordano temporarily reduced Italy to 13 players and finally Scotland managed to land a blow when Skeldon, captain in the place of the injured Malcolm, finished off the rolling maul from close range.