Below-par Scotland beaten by Italy in Six Nations

Women's Six Nations

Scotland (7) 17

Tries: Rollie, Gallagher, McGhie Con: Nelson

Italy (10) 25

Tries: Sgorbini, Muzzo (2), Minuzzi, D'Inca

Scotland were left to rue a below-par performance after losing at home to Italy in round three of the Women's Six Nations.

Chloe Rollie gave the Scots an early lead with the opening try, but the Azzurri struck back with scores from Francesca Sgorbini and Aura Muzzo to go in 10-7 up at the break.

Evie Gallagher and Francesca McGhie crossed after the interval, but tries from Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Alyssa D'Inca and a second from Muzzo sealed a deserved first victory for the Italians.

Bryan Easson's side are left with one win from their three matches and face title-chasing England next, while Italy host France.

The Scots struck first when the pack got a roll on from a line-out maul. The ball was whipped wide to Rollie and while she looked to have turned into too much traffic, the full-back stepped and powered her way to the tryline.

The home side had the lead but it was Italy who were on top in the opening half hour. The visitors got their reward when Sgorbini breached the Scottish defence and dived over from close range.

Italy scored a wonderful second try when centre Michela Sillari drew a couple of defenders and delayed her pass to perfection to set Muzzo free to score.

The Scots finally generated some field position and were awarded a penalty just outside the Italy 22. Rather than look to level things up going into the break, they kicked for the corner, lost possession from the subsequent line-out and the chance was gone.

Three points down having barely fired a shot was by no means a disaster, but Scotland were in need of a spark and they got it early in the second half when a smart play from a 5m line-out sent Gallagher over to regain the lead.

Italy showed no signs of carrying any scars from chastening losses to England and Ireland earlier in the championship.

They were playing with confidence and greater fluency than their hosts, and when Lisa Thomson kicked loosely with a clearance, the Scots were punished.

Ostuni Minuzzi fielded the kick, ran deep into the red zone to exchange passes with D'Inca and glide over for a terrific try.

To make matters worse, Thomson was sin-binned for a high tackle as she tried to prevent the score and the home side were really up against it now.

The visitors made hay with the Scots down a player, Beatrice Rigoni whipping a long ball out for D'Inca to beat the cover defence and score in the corner.

Eight points behind and in a hole, Scotland finally started forcing the game down into Italian territory and McGhie skipped through to score and set up a gripping last five minutes.

The great Scottish escape act did not materialise as Italy reclaimed the initiative and created space for Muzzo to score her second try of the afternoon and seal a memorable win for the Azzurri.

Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson, Brebner-Holden; Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Malcolm (capt), McLachlan, Gallagher.

Replacements: Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Konkel, Stewart, Mattinson, Scott.

Italy: Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, Sillari, Rigoni, D'Inca; Stevanin, Stefan; Turani, Vecchini, Seye, Tounesi, Duca, Sgorbini, Veronese, Giordano (capt).

Replacements: Spinelli, Stecca, Maris, Fedrighi, Ranuccini, Bitonci, Madia, Mannini.