MCKINLEY SCORES ON AZZURRI DEBUT

ITALY ended a ninematch losing streak with a hard-fought 1910 victory over Fiji in Catania as their Irishborn flyhalf, Ian McKinley, became the first man to play Test rugby in speciallymade goggles.

The 27-year-old lost the sight in his left eye in an on-pitch incident seven years ago but recovered to return to the game and qualify for Italy through residency after joining Benetton Treviso.

McKinley came off the bench as a 61stminute replacement for Carlo Canna and kicked a penalty to help edge Italy to victory. Canna had earlier struck three penalties and converted Simone Ferrari’s early try.

The visitors, for whom Ben Volavola kicked a penalty, went in level at 10-10 at halftime through Leone Nakarawa’s converted try, but Conor O’Shea’s side edged ahead after the interval to avenge their summer defeat by the Fijians.