Scotland start WXV2 defence with win over Italy

WXV2: Scotland v Italy

Scotland: 19 (14)

Tries: Rollie, Skeldon, Grant Cons: Nelson 2

Italy: 0 (0)

Scotland began the defence of their WXV2 title with a comfortable win over Italy in Cape Town.

Tries from Chloe Rollie and Lana Skeldon gave the Scots a healthy half-time lead, before Coreen Grant added a third try late on.

Italy's best chance for points came off the tee after 23 minutes, but Beatrice Rigoni pushed her penalty attempt wide.

Scotland dominated possession and territory in the opening 40 minutes, and the pressure told when Italy winger Aura Muzzo was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.

Against 14 defenders, Scotland stayed patient in the Italian 22, and after multiple phases, Emma Orr released Rollie, who cruised over to open the scoring.

Grant then knocked on with the try-line beckoning, but Scotland deservedly stretched their lead with the final play of the first half, as Skeldon crossed at the back of a powerful rolling maul.

After the break, Scotland were hampered by torrential rain, with the wet ball increasingly difficult to handle.

However, they managed the game well, playing in tight areas and keeping Italy at arm's length before a third try arrived in the closing stages.

Scotland's forwards went phase after phase on the Italy line, and when space appeared out wide, Helen Nelson gave Grant the simplest of finishes.

Bryan Easson's side won last year's comepetition with wins over hosts South Africa, the United States and Japan.

They next face Japan on 5 October, before taking on Australia on 12 October.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: "It was a difficult game. The weather meant we had to exit and look after the game well. Defensively we were solid, so I'm really pleased.

"There's a couple of things out there we'll have a look at. We've got two games left, we'll learn from that and take the little positives.

"We're one from one and that's what we came for today."

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: "It was a super physical game. Italy really made us work for it, especially in the first half.

"Those conditions probably favoured us a bit. I said to the girls it was a bit like one of the back pitches at Murrayfield.

"We did an outstanding job of managing the game in the second half and keeping Italy pinned in."

Scotland: Rollie, Grant, Orr, Smith, McGhie, Nelson, Mattinson; Young, Skeldon, Belisle, McIntosh, Bonar, Malcolm (c), McLachlan, Gallagher.

Replacements: Martin, Cockburn, Clarke, McMillan, Stewart, Brebner-Holden, Thomson, Scott.

Italy: Minuzzi, Muzzo, Mannini, Rigoni, Granzotto, Stevanin, Stefan; Stecca, Gurioli, Seye, Tounesi, Duca, Arrighetti, Veronese, Giordano (c).

Replacements: Vecchini, Maris, Zanette, Frangipani, Sgorbini, Catellani, Sillari, Copomaggi.

Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)