Full-time in Cape Town and the defence of Scotland’s WXV 2 title begins with a three-try win over Italy at a sodden DHL Stadium. Tries from Chloe Rollie, Lana Skeldon and Coreen Grant, with two Helen Nelson conversions, told the tale of the scoreboard as Italy were shut out for the entire 80 minutes.

Indeed they can! A few rumbles near the posts creates space for the backs and Helen Nelson puts Coreen Grant over for an easy score. Conversion hits the post but with the game long since won, it’s 19-0 to Scotland.

Last knockings in Cape Town, with a few tired bodies getting attention from the medics. Italy not rolling away, again, and a Scotland penalty. They opt to scrum in search of a third try in a competition where final points could prove extremely important.

Lisa Thomson is making great yards every time she gets the ball and in her latest rampage, gets through a couple of Italians before being brought down a few steps from the line. Leia Brebner-Holden is on at scrum-half for Caity Mattinson to empty the Scottish bench.

Alex Stewart again replaces Rachel McLachlan, this time permanently, and Lucia Scott is on for try scorer Chloe Rollie at full-back.

And Lisa Cockburn completes the front row amends as she replaces Anne Young at loosehead.

Try scorer Lana Skeldon has done her work for the afternoon and is replaced for the final 15 minutes by Elis Martin.

Helen Nelson has been on the money all day. For the umpteenth time, the stand-off kicks a beauty of a long grubber to Italy’s full-back Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi who eventually gets penalised for not letting go in the subsequent tackle. The line-out is spoiled, however, and possession is once more Italy’s.

Rachel McLachlan has passed her Head Injury Assessment and returns to the field, with Alex Stewart’s cameo over for now. Italy are really struggling to keep hold of the ball and the longer this goes on, you have to feel that those first half Scottish tries will be telling come full-time.

Try as they might, Italy cannot get a foothold in this contest and this time it’s Evie Gallagher who spoils any threat, winning a terrific jackal penalty which is cleared up to halfway. We’re at the hour mark and it’s as you were since the interval.

Louise McMillan is the latest Scottish substitute as she replaces Fi McIntosh in the second row. Another 50+ caps to add to a side who are controlling things nicely in the conditions.

The experienced Lisa Thomson is on for Meryl Smith to lend a hand (and boot) to Scotland’s exit strategies.

Elliann Clarke is on for Christine Belisle and Alex Stewart takes the place of Rachel McLachlan, who is off for an HIA.

It’s proper drookit in Cape Town. Both sides are toiling and trying to kick more for territory, and Scotland blink first when Coreen Grant fails to pouch an Italian kick. Scrum around about halfway.

Scotland’s ability to soak up pressure is again evident and Helen Nelson plays the conditions, booting up a high one which is knocked on, to afford another scrum some 30 metres up the pitch and far away from territorial trouble.

Italy, seeking to make inroads into a 14-point Scottish lead, make their opening statement of the half with a line-out just inside opposition territory. Substitute hooker Vittoria Vecchini lands her first throw but Scotland are on it, forcing it to be held up, with a scrum to come. It’s teeming down, by the way.

An intriguing first half in Cape Town, with Scotland and Italy both creating opportunities, but tries from the effervescent duo Chloe Rollie and Lana Skeldon, both converted by Helen Nelson, have opened a gap. It’s not comfortable, with the rain battering down, but it’s been a productive scoreboard for Bryan Easson’s charges.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Scotland get the breathing space they so crave! Like her prolific colleague Chloe Rollie before her, Lana Skeldon finishes a trademark rolling maul to grab a frankly ridiculous 18th try for her country. Nelson succeeds with a belter of a touchline conversion, 14-0 Scotland.

Helen Nelson has been excellent in ever-worsening conditions here in Cape Town. Managing to find touch with ball in hand, she has been inventive with the boot and also converted Scotland’s sole try.

Scotland are clearly in the ascendancy here, but with the drizzle turning into something a little more tricky, the ball is proving slippery to both sides. Chloe Rollie thinks she’s in business up the right touchline but it’s rightly adjudged to have been a forward pass to her from Nelson. Italy then called yet again for not rolling away and with a couple of minutes left of the half, Meryl Smith launches it out for an attacking line-out.

Scotland are starting to tick now and Helen Nelson has the vision to attempt and execute a lovely 50:22. She then sees space out right and clips a perfect kick over the Italy defence but with the line beckoning, Coreen Grant fumbles. We’ll go back for an Italian pulling down at the line-out before.

We have lift-off in WXV 2! Emma Orr involved again as her gorgeous bullet pass finds Chloe Rollie, who has the easiest of tasks to get over the line and give Scotland the lead in Cape Town. Helen Nelson adds the extras to make it 7-0. Superb.

Quick line-out by Scotland and Lana Skeldon scampers up the left touchline, before the ball goes right, Emma Orr picking up an outrageous low ball, before Italy winger Aura Muzzo is shown a yellow for a cynical deliberate knock-on. Might this be the turning point in this first half?

Beatrice Rigoni, Italy’s offensive leader in this game, opts to have a pop at goal from 30 metres out, bang in front, but it slides by. We remain pointless but it’s Italy who are looking the more dangerous of the sides.

Italy’s line-out is not playing ball, to Scotland’s gain. But both sides are looking nervy – they each want to play expansive stuff but can’t get momentum. Rigoni lands a marvellous touch from halfway to put pressure on Lana Skeldon’s throw but she’s solid as ever inside her own 22.

This has been a tougher assignment than the recent wins over Wales and Fiji, with Italy seeking to avenge their Six Nations loss earlier in the year. Scotland are staying patient and you feel trying to go through the gears. Coreen Grant grabs an excellent offload from Chloe Rollie and darts wide but is hauled down and eventually Anne Young is called for not releasing.

Italy this time not taking the three points on offer, with Rigoni kicking to touch after another Scottish penalty for not rolling away. However, the throw wasn’t close to being straight and it’s a scrum to the team in white. Nelson eventually clears to touch, but Italy are camped and well placed – until it’s pinched by us!

Fran McGhie is whistled by referee Amelia Luciano for not rolling away in the tackle and Italy kick to touch, and win their first line-out. It’s scoreless so far but chaotic no less.

Winger Francesca Granzotto goes on a mazy run from an Italy scrum but Scotland scramble enough to dull the threat. Some lovely hands again from the opposition, but they knock on in midfield and it’s another scrum, just outside our 22.

Italy not releasing after multiple Scottish attack phases. Scrum is the option taken after the inaugural one was dominant. Can Scotland take advantage here? They can’t as Italy turn the ball over and clear their lines.

Italy not rolling away, or unable to because of the speed of the Scottish ruck. Penalty looks kickable but Meryl Smith boots one into touch for the game’s first line-out. It ends in a Scotland scrum, five metres from the line..

Some lovely hands from the Italians in the opening exchanges, before Emma Orr’s classy tackle takes Francesca Granzotto into touch. Orr then goes on a gliding run to suddenly take Scotland into the opposition 22..

We are good to go at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town as Scotland get their defence of the WXV 2 title they won in nail-biting fashion last year up and running. Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni gets things started, Helen Nelson collecting and finding a handy early touch.

Here’s a reminder of your Scotland 23 for this afternoon’s WXV 2 clash with Italy, the 2pm (BST) kick-off approaching..

Australia, who Scotland will face in two weeks’ time in their final match of the competition, have just beaten Wales with a 37-5, six-try statement victory. The Wallaroos will come in time, but for now we’re around 40 minutes from our opener against Italy in Cape Town.

Scotland have not long arrived at DHL Stadium, with captain Rachel Malcolm leading the team out, carrying the ball used in Scotland Women’s first ever international, played in 1993.

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Scottish Rugby match centre ahead of Italy v Scotland Women in the WXV 2 opener in Cape Town!