Italy saw off Scotland 34-14 courtesy of a late three-try flurry to bring Round 2 of the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series action to a close.

Both sides struggled for rhythm and it took until the 65th minute for the first points of the second half, but they did seal the game in Italy’s favour.

Federico Cuminetti and Lapo Frangini crossed in the first half, with both adding to their tries from Round 1, before a brace from late injury call-up Tommaso Scramoncin and a Giovanni Cenedese try secured the points.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s two efforts came from the ever-impressive Patrick Harrison and Andrew Stirrat.

 

Key Player: Alex Mattioli

While England second-row Ewan Richards caught the eye for his try-scoring exploits against France, Alex Mattioli’s tenacity and aggressive defensive play was more understated but no less important in Italy’s bonus-point win.

The Colorno lock made two key interventions on the stroke of half time, stripping the ball off of Scotland forwards on both occasions.

He was greeted with a rapturous applause on both occasions when he emerged with the ball, and more importantly he made sure that Italy’s lead remained eight points heading into the interval.

Those two actions gave Italy a healthy cushion going into the break and a score there could well have turned the game in Scotland's favour.

 

Play of the game: Italy strike first

With only a minute played and an attacking lineout just inside Scotland’s half, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Italy would leave it with the forwards and build through the phases.

Not this Italy. Just 14 seconds after Lapo Frangini’s throw was Cuminetti celebrating in the opposite corner.

The passing was slick and the footwork even better. The throw from Frangini was on the money and from there the ball flowed through the hands before landing with Lorenzo Pani.

He and Cuminetti beat Kerr Johnston for pace and Pani fixed full-back Gabe Jones before a simple outside pass sent his teammate home.

 

Key talking point: The Pool B decider

It’s all set up perfectly for the final Pool B game of the Summer Series. Italy against Wales in front of a packed out Stadio Di Monigo, with the sides level on 10 points.

Judging by the support Wales had for their clash with Georgia, they certainly won’t approach it as an away fixture either.

What’s more, the teams will know who their cross-pool final opponents will be, with the final set of fixtures in Verona taking place the evening before these two meet.

White Italy might look to utilise their rolling maul which was somewhat effective against Scotland but a feature of Georgia’s game which caused Wales so many problems earlier in the day, they will have to find a way to stop the tournament’s most prolific attack.

Wales lead the way with 11 tries after two completed rounds.

 

Key moment: Scramoncin score

With just eight points separating the sides most for most of the second period, Scotland were always within touching distance.

That all changed 15 minutes from time, when Italy were finally able to secure clean lineout ball in a promising position.

For a moment it looked as though the maul might fall just short until replacement hooker Tommaso Scramoncin emerged ball-in-hand to score.

It marked a great day personally for Scramoncin, having only been called up earlier on Thursday after a tournament-ending injury to Giovanni Quattrini.

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg