Both sides had plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges, but Scotland had more of the territory and took advantage of it in the 11^th minute with the first try. After a break on the left from Hollie Howland, the ball was worked back to the right and Faye Sutherland put Lucy MacRae through the gap with a lovely inside pass. MacRae dummied her way past the first defender and sidestepped the second to get to the line.

But Italy had then had a spell with plenty ball, and got their first try in the 25^th minute from a strong carry from Sara D’Andrea five metres out. The conversion gave Italy a two-point lead.

Scotland fought hard to get back in front, and after five minutes of pressure in the Italy 22 and the Italians being shown a yellow card, Nicole Flynn got the ball out on the right and found a way to the line with the last play of the half to give Scotland a three-point advantage at the interval.

Half time: Italy U18 7-10 Scotland U18

Italy applied the pressure after the break, and got their reward after several phases as they went over on the right hand side.

But Scotland got the lead back in the 48^th minute. Quick hands down the right from Isla Jamieson and MacRae gave Flynn space in the right corner to dive over for her second score of the afternoon.

Both sides pushed for an all-important next score, and it was Italy who got it with just over seven minutes to play. A tap penalty seven metres out was carried to the line by Italy and grounded as Scotland tried to hold the ball up.

Scotland pushed Italy hard in the final minutes but couldn’t find the score to take the victory, and it was Italy who walked away with the win.

Full time: Italy U18 19-15 Scotland U18

Scotland: 15. Lucy MacRae (Stirling County) 14. Nicole Flynn (Stirling County) 13. Faye Sutherland (Edinburgh Harlequins) 12. Rianna Darroch (Highland) 11. Hollie Howland (Stirling County) 10. Isla Jamieson (Corstorphine Cougars) 9. Rebekah Douglas (Corstorphine Cougars) 1. Chloe Brown (Stirling County) 2. Karis Craig (Watsonians) 3. Eilidh Fleming (Stirling County) 4. Holland Bogan CAPTAIN (Cartha Queens Park) 5. Eva Finnie (Strathmore) 6. Isla Wheeler (Hillhead Jordanhill) 7. Theresa Smyth (Stirling County) 8. Megan Hyland (Garioch)

Replacements: 16. Alexi McLeman (Highland) 17. Louise Taperell (Dumfries Saints) 18. Ella Williams (Bristol Bears) 19. Ellie-Jo Simpson (Perthshire) 20. Aicha Sutcliffe (Stirling County) 21. Hannah Dunnett (Caithness) 22. Dawn Lawrie (Perthshire) 23. Freya Lejkowski (Biggar) 24. Emily Coubrough (Biggar)