Italy 20 Scotland 13: Bettoni and Turani score second-half tries as hosts roar back in Parma
INSPIRED Italy pulled off a stunning second-half comeback to bag their first win of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations with a 20-13 triumph over Scotland in Parma.
Both teams came into this Round 4 clash winless, and Emma Wassell’s try gave Scotland a seven-point lead at the break.
But Italy roared into the lead thanks to tries from Melissa Bettoni and replacement Silvia Turani as Player of the Match Michela Sillari kicked ten points to fire her side to a deserved victory.
Italy were dealt an early blow when injured scrum-half Sofia Stefan had to be replaced by Sara Barattin after just eight minutes before Scotland’s No.12 Helen Nelson and Italian outside centre Sillari exchanged easy penalties.
Scotland then began to dominate possession and territory but were met by an inspired Italian blitz defence desperate to prevent the likes of full-back Chloe Rollie making inroads out wide.
Eventually, the pressure told, with second row Wassell bundling over five minutes before the break, Nelson’s conversion giving Bryan Easson’s side a 10-3 half-time lead at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
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The rain lashed down after the break and the floodgates immediately opened as Italy drew level when Bettoni, usually a hooker but playing at prop, forced her way over from close range four minutes into the second half and Sillari converted.
Scotland’s ill-discipline at the breakdown allowed Sillari to kick Italy into the lead for the first time ten minutes later as the visitors wilted in the slippery conditions.
Easson switched both his half-backs with 25 minutes to go but replacement scrum-half Jenny Maxwell was stretchered off with a serious knee injury just 120 seconds after coming on, forcing Rollie to move to nine.
Italy looked the more threatening and were beginning to have considerable joy at maul time, both to get themselves out of danger and when hurtling towards the Scottish line.
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The latter paid dividends as another rolling maul took them within five metres before sub Turani squirted over with a pick and go eight minutes from time and Sillari continued her flawless form off the tee.
Nelson pegged Italy back with her second penalty to earn Scotland a losing bonus point, but they were left rueing what could have been after a first half that promised so much.
The TikTok Women’s Six Nations is more accessible than ever before. To find out how you can watch the Women’s Championship visit: womens.sixnationsrugby.com/tv/