Captain’s hat-trick kills off Scotland

ITALY captain Manuela Furlan grabbed a hat-trick as the Azzurre secured second place in the Women’s Six Nations Pool A behind England.

The visitors ran in seven tries in all and will host Ireland in Saturday’s third-place play-off.

Italy made a dream start with two tries in the first nine minutes to race into a 12-0 lead thanks to scores from Beatrice Rigoni and Furlan.

Their experienced backline was clicking and finding holes in the Scottish defence at every opportunity.

However, after some early struggles in the setpiece, Scotland righted the ship and Lana Skeldon went over from a powerful rolling maul.

A further Helen Nelson penalty cut the deficit to two points right before the break, but on the stroke of half-time, Ilaria Arrighetti’s score allowed the visitors to stretch clear again, 19-10.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi’s try early in the second half secured the bonus point for Italy with Furlan getting her second just before the hour-mark.

Rigoni completed her double and despite Emma Wassell’s late score from close range – which Nelson coverted – it was Furlan who had the final word to seal her hat-trick as Italy’s pack pwoer sucked in the defenders and allowed her a simple run in.

Scotland will take on Wales in the battle for fifth.