Six Nations women: first victory for Italy, Scotland knockout 20-13

Italy leaves Scotland with the burden of avoiding the wooden spoon on the last day. At the “Lanfranchi” in Parma in the 4th round of the Tik Tok Six Nations women’s rugby team she won the first, painful, victory of the tournament for 20-13, in a battle held in the pouring rain in the second half. The Scots believed in success this time, as the final tears show. But the blue were once again better. Confirming the fact that he never wants them to be defeated at home by rivals. Center player Michela Sillari for 100% at the foot and excellent defensive performance, like that of the whole team.

First half

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For 36 ‘the match is in perfect balance. Defenses dominate attacks. More aggressive, overturned, with the aim of anticipating Italy’s opponents. More flat and wait-and-see, but very physical in the impacts that of Scotland. So much so that in the 7th minute Stefan is forced to leave the field due to a knee injury, Barattin enters, while in the 14th minute, captain Furlan is temporarily out due to a concussion protocol. The result is a stalemate of the multiple multiphases produced by the two teams, more than those of the Scots who dominate possession (68%). The match report only moves with two kicks by Nelson and Sillari the two times that the teams enter the opponents 22 meters. The third time, around 36 ‘, the balance is broken. Scotland wins three consecutive kicks, sets three advances with the maul and a series of percussion close to the goal line rewarded by the marking of the second line Emma Wassell.

Second half

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At the beginning of the second half, Italy broke the equilibrium, taking advantage of the increased opposing indiscipline (fouls 14 to 8) and of a phase of greater possession. At 44 ‘, the goal of the equalizer of the prop Melissa Bettoni on penaltouche, maul and multiphase (10-10) arrives. At 53 ‘the kick of overtaking (13-10) of Sillari from 25 meters for a held on the ground. Here Scotland return to the chair, thanks to the best foot play in the rain, the pass of the blue touche (3 steals, one crooked, some dirty) and superiority in the scrum. The Italian defense, however, remains granite. From three long forays into 22 meters, the Scots return empty-handed, thanks to an impassable line, to the ground rescues by Vecchini and in touche by Muzzo, to three devastating defensive carts. The maul drive is decisive even when Italy returns to attack to place the decisive paw around 70 ‘: first Tuonesi is stopped a step away from the goal; then the new entry Turani finds her at the end of a series of positions (20-10) and celebrates her return to the field one year after the serious injury. Nelson’s kick in the 76th minute only serves (20-13) to prolong the suffering until the end, but the result does not change.

The situation

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Results: Wales-France 5-33, Italy-Scotland 20-13, Sunday England-Ireland. Standings: France 20; England 15; Wales 10; Ireland 5; Italy 4; Scotland 2.