Last week Scotland kept France scoreless in the second half. Here in Parma the same fate nearly befell them.
So their sorry record in Italy continued, yet they came off at half-time 10-3 in the lead, thanks to a try from the returning Emma Wassell.
The effort it took her team to turn that move into points was an indication of continuing weakness. How many times have we seen them battering away at the opposition line, only to make an error or run out of space?
Italy were handicapped by the early loss of Sofia Stefan to injury, but there was Sara Barattin to steady the ship for the 104th time. When Manuela Furlan left the field too, things looked dire for the hosts, but fortunately she returned after a check-up.
On the half-hour mark Scotland really should have scored. They won two consecutive penalties and drove behind a clean line-out take. The Italian defence held them out, led by Michela Sillari who had a fine game.
Then came the Wassell try, converted by Helen Nelson. A token of better things to come?
Half-time: 3-10
One big difference after the break was the appearance of heavy rain, obviously a local Italian hazard, rarely met in northern climes.
Scotland established good attacking positions, but their total harvest was one penalty kick by Nelson.
On one occasion a very promising move ended when Megan Gaffney found herself forced into touch only metres from the line, another example of lack of spatial awareness when most needed.
In sharp contrast Italy scored 17 points.
They too had to work hard for those scores, but the wet ball took a lot of mastering, line-out throws became a lottery and the tackles hammered in.
The Scottish pack did very well at the set-scrum, sending the Italians reeling backwards on several occasions. All of this without their talisman, Jade Konkel. Molly Wright was one player to make her mark, in the tight and especially in the loose.
Trouble was, these advantages didn’t bring decisive results. Instead, a high tackle allowed Lucia Gai to make a huge break finished off by the impressive Melissa Bettoni. (10-10)
Michela Sillari wisely accepted the offer of a penalty kick to nudge her side in front – her kicking was excellent in the conditions. (13-10)
Scotland suffered real misfortune on the three-quarter mark. Caity Mattinson was replaced by Jenny Maxwell; with barely a minute on her clock she went down awkwardly and had to be stretchered off.
Chloe Rollie shifted into the hot seat as the backs rearranged themselves.
Conditions made it hard to construct positive moves and keep them going. Forward drives could get you only so far. Beatrice Rigoni and Lisa Thomson both put in telling diagonal kicks to gain precious territory, but the only time one of them was exploited came ten minutes from time. Silvia Turani, just on the field, was on the end of a move that saw the ball shoot forward from her grasp as she dived through a mass of bodies. It needed the TMO to confirm downward prssure. The try stood.
For Italy this was a precious first win to reignite confidence in their work. For Scotland great disappointment after what looked like a rare away victory.
Result: Italy 20 Scotland 13
Player of the Match: Michela Sillari
Teams:
Italy: 15 Manuela Furlan (captain, 84 caps), 14 Aura Muzzo (21 caps), 13 Michela Sillari (65 caps), 12 Beatrice Rigoni (52 caps), 11 Maria Magatti (41 caps), 10 Veronica Madia (28 caps), 9 Sofia Stefan (65 caps), 8 Ilaria Arrighetti (51 caps), 7 Isabella Locatelli (31 caps), 6 Beatrice Veronese (9 caps), 5 Giordana Duca (26 caps), 4 Valeria Fedrighi (31 caps), 3 Lucia Gai (79 caps), 2 Vittoria Vecchini (6 caps), 1 Melissa Bettoni (67 caps)
Bench: 16 Silvia Turani (14 caps), 17 Gaia Maris (9 caps), 18 Michela Merlo (11 caps), 19 Sara Tounesi (21 caps), 20 Silvia Turani, 21 Sara Barattin (104 caps), 22 Alyssa D’Incà (7 caps), 23 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (12 caps)
Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs, 47 caps),14. Rhona Lloyd (Stade Bordelais, 36 caps), 13. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks, 43 caps), 12. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, 40 caps), 11. Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University, 4 caps), 10. Sarah Law (Sale Sharks, 50 caps), 9. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors, 3 caps), 1. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks, 12 caps), 2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors, 51 caps), 3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning, 15 caps), 4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning, 54 caps), 5. Sarah Bonar (Harlequins, 27 caps), 6. Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps), 7. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks, 26 caps), 8. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County, 10 caps)
Bench: 16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens, 19 caps),17. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, 14 caps), 18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury, 16 caps), 19. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill, 34 caps), 20. Anne Young (Edinburgh University, 2 caps), 21. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning, 39 caps), 22. Hannah Smith (Watsonians, 32 caps), 23. Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning, 42 caps)
Officials:
Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZR)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) and Katherine Ritchie (RFU) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
with thanks to rugby referee.net
Table:
P W L B Pts
France 4 4 0 4 20
England 3 3 0 3 15
Wales 4 2 2 2 10
Ireland 3 1 2 0 5
Italy 4 1 3 0 4
Scotland 4 0 4 2 2
Afterthoughts
Eight of Italy’s original starting Fifteen own more than 50 caps. That can indicate two contrary things: a. They are fine players; b. There is insufficient talent coming through the pathway. The second option is likely to be the harsh verdict.
The one case on the bench, the great Sara Barattin, makes the position even clearer: Andrea Di Giandomenico doesn’t offer her a starting slot this season, but he has no younger rival he feels he can turn to. He and the federation are aware of the damaging effects the lack of rugby had during the two years of Covid restrictions. Playing numbers have fallen away worryingly.
A last-minute switch saw Elsia Giodano drop out and Isabella Locatelli come in.
Scotland’s fixture card this year was by far the toughest of the six; two home games against France and England, four away against the sides they could hope to conquer.
Now they must go to Belfast to avoid another unwelcome wooden spoon. After the new-look Ireland’s outing against the English today they will have a clearer idea of what lies in store
