A strong first-half display was enough to see Italy run out 22-7 winners over Scotland in their Women’s Six Nations encounter in Bologna on Sunday to book their place at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in the process.

Italy knew that anything other than defeat would secure their place at the showpiece of the women’s game in Ireland next year with Scotland unable to match their points tally across the 2015 and 2016 Six Nations with two matches remaining.

The win also meant that Wales’ place at Ireland 2017 was confirmed long before the final whistle in their match with France at The Gnoll, but they put the gloss on that qualification by handing Les Bleues a first defeat of the season, 10-8.

Italy and Wales will now join the seven automatic qualifiers from the 2014 edition in champions England, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, USA and Australia at Women's Rugby World Cup 2017. The three remaining places will be filled through the qualification process.

In the weekend’s other Six Nations match, world champions England battled to a 13-9 victory over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday to remain the only unbeaten side in the Championship after three rounds.

IMPRESSIVE WALES STUN FRANCE

France came into the match as favourites after convincing wins over Italy and defending champions Ireland, but they couldn’t break down an incredible Welsh defence in Neath and paid the price when prop Megan York scored on the counter-attack.

Dyddgu Hywel’s try had put Wales in front early on, the full-back showing her pace to round Elodie Poublan and then hold off Julie Billes to touch down, but they spent the remainder of the half on the back foot, with France number eight Safi N’Diaye’s try making it 5-5 at the interval. 

France hit the front through fly-half Audrey Abadie’s penalty, but they were unable to turn their dominance into points on the scoreboard as a result of some resolute and often last-ditch defence from the determined Welsh side.

The slender three-point advantage meant that Wales were still very much in touch and on the hour mark the home crowd were on their feet after a searing break from Bethan Dainton had France scrambling. The ball swung back the other way and York showed a surprising turn of pace to go over.

Robyn Wilkins missed the conversion but France were unable to breach the defence, every penalty won or knock-on celebrated by players and fans alike, the final whistle sparking celebrations at Wales’ first win over Les Bleues since 2008.

The win improved Wales’ rating by two points but was not to enough to improve their position of 10th in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings as a result of Italy’s win. However, the defeat is costly for France as they will fall below England into third when the rankings update on Monday.

THREE TRIES COMPLETE THE ITALIAN JOB

Italy made it eight wins in a row against Scotland after tries from props Melissa Bettoni and Elisa Cucchiella and full-back Manuela Furlan gave them cause to celebrate a first victory of the 2016 Championship. 

The first came from a catch and drive in the 16th minute with Bertoni barrelling her way over the line and Italy’s second came as a reward for a prolonged period of pressure, Cucchiella unstoppable from close range once the gap opened in the brave Scottish defence.

A yellow card for Scotland scrum-half Jennifer Maxwell gave Veronica Schiavon the chance to push the lead beyond two scores and she made no mistake, sending Italy in with a commanding 15-0 advantage at half-time.

That grew within minutes of the restart when Furlan broke through for Italy’s third, but Scotland kept battling and were rewarded when centre Lisa Thomson raced through the defence to open her side’s account, hooker Lana Skelton adding the conversion.

Scotland have not won a Six Nations match since February 2010 – a run that now extends to 32 matches – but they showed once again the improvements they are making under new coach Shade Munro and caused Italy some big headaches in the second half.

In fact they created the best opportunities after the break with some great breaks by Thomson, winger Rona Lloyd and full-back Chloe Rollie, but they were unable to finish off the attacks, the closest they came being when they were held up with a minute to go.

ENGLAND EDGE TIGHT AFFAIR

England are now the only unbeaten side left in the Six Nations after a try from hooker Emma Croker and second-row Abbie Scott in each half saw over the challenge of Ireland, who are still looking for a first win over the world champions on English soil.

The women took to the pitch straight after England 21-10 victory over Ireland and Amber Reed put the hosts ahead with a penalty in the ninth minute. England continued to assert their authority and enjoy the majority of territory but handling errors meant they failed to extend their advantage. 

They finally made the breakthrough when, in the 21st minute, Reed elected to kick for the corner instead of the posts and Croker barged her way over from the resulting catch and drive. However ill-discipline at the breakdown allowed Ireland captain Niamh Briggs to make it 8-6 at half-time.

A long-range penalty by Briggs gave Ireland the lead for the first time within eight minutes of the restart and the visitors sensed their chance when flanker Harriet Millar-Mills was sin-binned. It was England, though, who scored the final points, Scott scampering over the line.

The penultimate round of the Six Nations in two week’s time will see England host Wales at the Twickenham Stoop, Scotland welcome France to Cumbernauld and Ireland tackle a buoyant Italian side in Dublin.

Photo credit: Fotosportit (main picture)