Despite Italy controlling possession and territory for the opening ten minutes, it was the hosts who got the first points on the scoreboard, with Rachel McLachlan almost over the whitewash after making a line break at the 5m line, but a neat offload from the openside flanker saw her send Louise McMillan over the line [5-0].

The visitors rallied and on the 28^th minute, Giada Franco dotted down on the line from close range to give the side the lead, with Veronica Madia adding the extras [5-7].

Italy enjoyed a period of possession but weren’t able to capitalise, as a number of knock-ons saw their attack brought to a halt.

Moments before half-time, Scotland were back on the attack and reaped the rewards when Lana Skeldon powered her way over on the back of a strong driving maul, with Helen Nelson’s conversion going wide of target [10-7].

HALF-TIME: Scotland 10-7 Italy

Scotland kept the pressure after the interval and were able to grab their third try of the match as Lisa Thomson set-up the perfect platform for prop Leah Bartlett to crash over the line, with Nelson slotting the conversion through the posts [17-7].

Buoyed by the growing momentum, Scotland showed their flair once again and it wasn’t long before Bartlett clinched her second try of the match on the back of another strong maul, with Nelson adding the extras to extend the hosts lead [24-7].

Italy soon retaliated, with Sara Tounesi scoring from close range, with the experienced Sara Barattin adding the extras [24-14].

And Italy came to within three points as Vittoria Vecchini dotted down under the posts after a quick counter attack [24-21].

But Scotland sealed the win through a third maul try, and Lana Skeldon’s second on the left side of the pitch after Italy were given a red card for a high tackle [29-21].

FULL-TIME: Scotland 29-21 Italy

TikTok Player of the Match: Jade Konkel-Roberts (Scotland)

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie (Loughborough Lightning) 14. Coreen Grant (Saracens) 13. Meryl Smith (University of Edinburgh) 12. Lisa Thomson (GB 7s) 11. Francesca McGhie (Watsonians); 10. Helen Nelson VICE-CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) 9. Mairi McDonald (Exeter Chiefs); 1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) 2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors) 3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) 4. Jade Konkel-Roberts (Harlequins) 5. Louise McMillan (Saracens) 6. Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning) 7. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks) 8. Evie Gallagher (Worcester Warriors)

Replacements: 16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens) 17. Anne Young (Sale Sharks) 18. Elliann Clarke (University of Edinburgh) 19. Eva Donaldson (University of Edinburgh) (for Konkel-Roberts, 64 mins) 20. Eilidh Sinclair (Exeter Chiefs) 21. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors) (for McDonald, 59 mins) 22. Beth Blacklock (Harlequins) 23. Liz Musgrove (Wasps).

Italy: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; 14. Aura Muzzo 13. Michela Sillari 12. Beatrice Rigoni 11. Alyssa D’Inca; 10. Veronica Madia 9. Sofia Stefan; 1. Gaia Maris 2. Vittoria Vecchini 3. Lucia Gai 4. Valeria Fedrighi 5. Giordana Duca 6. Sara Tounesi 7. Isabella Locatelli 8. Giada Franco

Replacements: 16. Emanuela Stecca 17. Alice Cassaghi 18. Sara Seye 19. Laura Gurioli 20. Alissa Ranuccini 21. Sara Barattin 22. Emma Stevanin 23. Francesca Granzotto.