Women’s Rugby, Six Nations: Italy surprise knockout against Scotland

EDINBURGH – In rugby it is not enough to be superior to the opponent. It takes head, character, clear ideas. L’Italy is in 5th place in the world ranking, the Scotland – back from 12 consecutive defeats, the last 3 with 50 points per game – he’s in 11th place, and hadn’t beaten the Azzurri for 6 years. But today in Edinburgh, in front of a smiling Princess Anne of England, the hosts deservedly won (29-21) in the fourth round of the Six Nations, confirming how the cazzima remains one of the fundamental ingredients of this game, even when on the pitch some girls get out. After the solar success with Ireland last week, ours National she seemed to go down to the Dam Health Stadium with the presumption that much was due to her: the protagonists of the match in Parma were the ones who reported the greatest uncertainties from a mental point of view. Sara Tounesi, Giada Franco and Sara Barattin didn’t lack grit, but on the other side there was a team that with humility and determination – above all: all together – was able to overturn the prediction. Nothing serious: it’s just a small step back in an exciting path. Provided you’ve learned your lesson.

Coach Raineri: “Too many mistakes, he’s undisciplined”

At the end of the match the coach Nanni Raineri he doesn’t discount himself and his girls: “Too many mistakes, lost possessions. Indiscipline was the key factor: it was tough to stay in the game, towards the end we returned but unfortunately the red card penalized us even more Our fault. Now let’s think about the match against Wales: it will be tough, we have to concentrate more on the balls we have available”. Sophia Stefan he admits: “We weren’t good at managing the good and bad moments, we didn’t materialize our possessions. We struggled a lot to find confidence”.

The goals of Franco, Tounesi and Vecchini are not enough

Five to three for Scotland: the match scorecard is exemplary. Louise McMillan scored after 11 minutes in which the Scots managed the game, the reaction culminating in the marking of Jade Franco and the transformation of Michael Sillari he deluded the blues. Too many ball-in-hand errors and throw-ins, little reactivity in groupings, an evident uncertainty of the median couple in taking the group by the hand just when it was necessary to have clear ideas. With an all in all simple game, around the forward pack and taking advantage of the forward kicks, Scotland closed the first half ahead (10-7) thanks to Lana Skeldon and masterfully took advantage of the numerical superiority after the deserved yellow card a Jordan Duke.

Next Saturday in Parma the last match against Wales

In the 6th minute of the second half the third goal arrived with Leah Bartlett. Five minutes later the Scottish loose-headed prop scored again, and a hole opened up in the score (7-24) which coach Nanni Raineri tried to mend by rightly inserting Sara Barattin with Sofia Stefan moved to the wing. In just 3 minutes, Italy scored twice (Sara Tounesi, Vittoria Vecchini): thanks also to the conversions of Michael Sillari everyone was betting on a sensational overrun, also because there were still 20 minutes left and Scotland was only 3 points ahead. Instead came the red card for Sara Seyethe hosts regained their confidence and conceded the last try by Lana Skeldon. Next Saturday, fifth and final round of the Six Nations: appointment in Parma with Wales.