Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were boosted after their impressive 34-10 bonus point win over Spain in the European Qualification Tournament.
A week earlier, Italy found themselves on the end of a narrow 15-7 defeat to Ireland, in what was a tightly contested affair.
However a bonus-point success against the Spanish ensured that the Azzurre were assured a top two spot. The team who finishes top of the pool qualifies automatically for the Rugby World Cup, while the team in second will go into the final qualifying tournament.
The opening 20 minutes of action saw Italy dominate proceedings as they looked to break through the Spanish defence early on.
And they managed to breach the Spanish line on 13 minutes when prop Lucia Gai crossed over for Italy’s first score of the day on the back on an impressive rolling maul – which was converted by Michela Sillari.
Then, minutes later, Italy crossed the whitewash again through Sillari, who collected a superb kick over the top of Spain’s defence from scrum-half Sara Barattin to touch down out wide.
While Sillari was unable to convert her own try, Italy were clearly in the ascendency, with their defence shutting down any form of attack from Spain.
On the half-hour mark, Sillari added three more points with the boot to put Italy 15-0 up, with Spain seemingly unable to find a footing in the contest – or in Italy’s half.
On 33 minutes, they did manage to open their account through Patricia Garcia, whose penalty ate into Italy’s lead.
And while Spain had another chance to take points away from a late first half possession in Italy’s half, they lost their attacking lineout just before the break to keep the score at 15-3.
After the interval, the script was flipped, with Spain looking the more likely of the two to cross for the first score of the second half.
But after working their way deep into Italian territory, they were held up just short of the line by some strong defence.
Shortly after, Italy’s defence stood tall again when they forced a turnover off the back of an attacking Spanish lineout, enabling them to clear their lines again.
But Spain’s pressure eventually saw them go over thanks to centre Amalia Argudo, who sliced through the Italian defence to score their first try, with Anne Fernandez de Corres converting the extras.
Spain’s try seemed to spark some life into Italy, who had barely had a touch of the ball in the opposition half during the second period.
An Azzurre lineout just outside the Spanish 22 saw them put together some patient phases of play, which were finished off by lock Giordana Duca to give Italy their third try of the afternoon, converted by Silliari.
Fly-half Veronica Madia then went over out wide to score Italy’s bonus point on 76 minutes.
And a penalty try following a cynical foul on Barattin that prevented her from scoring rounded off proceedings, giving the Azzurre an impressive 34-10 win.
