Scotland got their WXV 2 title defence off to a winning start after an attritional clash with Italy on Saturday in South Africa on captain Rachel Malcolm’s 50th cap.
The Scots won the match 19-0 in the DHL Stadium in Cape Town to make it 11 victories in their last 14 Test matches, but they could only score one try in the second period and missed out on a four-try bonus point. The victory was the most important thing against a tough opponent though.
The match report…
After a stalemate start, Italy were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute and they decided to go for goal, but centre Beatrice Rigoni missed.
Scotland then attacked with real pace and Italy winger Aura Muzzo was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on. Scotland took immediate advantage, good hands helping Chloe Rollie, the full- back, go over for her 24th international try. Stand-off Helen Nelson converted and it was 7-0.
The rain began to fall heavily with Italy back to 15 players when Scotland scored a crucial second try.
With the clock in the red before the break, hooker Lana Skeldon went over from a lineout drive and Nelson converted from out wide to make it 14-0 at half-time.
Scotland would have been keen to kick on from there early in the second period, but the continuing rain and slippy conditions meant that the score remained the same as the hour mark came and went.
Try number three came after 75 minutes via winger Coreen Grant while No.8 Evie Gallagher was named player of the match.
What they said…
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: “It was a difficult game, but to win 19-0 against an opponent we know well we’re pleased. We had to look after the game pretty well and defensively I thought we were very solid and that gave us a foothold into things.
“We didn’t allow Italy anything in the second half especially, so I’m really pleased.”
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: “It felt like we were playing out on the back pitches at Murrayfield at times given the weather conditions, but we battled really hard.
“Italy really made us work for this win, but we have worked hard to be able to play the game we want in whatever conditions.
“Although the points didn’t come freely, I thought we did a good job of keeping Italy penned their own half in the second period and we have got a win under our belts and we have something to build on now going into the next two matches.”
Three things that caught the eye…
- Fi making her mark – Last year Fi McIntosh travelled to Cape Town as an uncapped member of the squad and she did not get any minutes. However, she kept working hard, had a great 2023/24 with Saracens and Edinburgh Rugby and the second- row now has four caps and was an important player in this toughed out victory.
- This team now knows who to adapt to different situations – Go back two years and the pretty much empty DHL Stadium and the wet and windy conditions would have spooked Scotland as would the fact that they hadn’t scored up until the 27th minute, but this squad Is now adaptable and is calm under pressure as they react to different circumstances.
- Bench pressing forward – Game on game in the 11 wins out of the last 14 Tests the Scotland bench has made more and more of an impact. Sometimes the bench would not be fully used or changes would be made late, but now changes are being made to up the tempo and bring energy to things and 16 to 23 did that here.
What’s next…
Next up is Japan on October 5 and then Australia on October 12 in this same competition. In the other round one games, on Friday South Africa defeated Japan 31-24 and, on Saturday, Australia got the better of Wales 37-5.
Scotland women’s squad and scorers in the WXV 2 clash with Italy
15 Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders) (one try)
14 Coreen Grant (Saracens) (one try)
13 Emma Orr (Bristol Bears)
12 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears)
11 Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) (two conversions)
9 Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders)
1 Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning)
2 Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears) (one try)
3 Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning)
4 Fi McIntosh (Saracens)
5 Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)
6 Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C)
7 Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier)
8 Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears)
Subs all used
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning)
17 Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester-Hartpury)
18 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears)
19 Louise McMillan (Saracens)
20 Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars)
21 Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers)
22 Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders)
23 Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury)
The squad are pictured singing the national anthem in the DHL Stadium pre-match, thanks to Scottish Rugby
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