Scotland, ranked fifteenth in the world, took on Italy (seventeenth) in the second Group B fixture with the opportunity that a big win from either side could see them top the group after Australia only managed a thirty-four-point win over Fiji last night.

The sides have met twice previously with Scotland winning one and the other ending in a draw, the win being Scotlands record 104-0 win in 2009 European Cup, the other being a 30-30 draw in the group stages of the Word Cup in 2013.

Scotland had been handicapped by twelve points on the coupon, but with little to go on as to how the two sides would settle, it was a very difficult game to call. Both sides needed to win to give themselves any chance of finishing in the top two, the competition would be as good as over for today's losing side.

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Scotland, ranked fifteenth in the world, took on Italy (seventeenth) in the second Group B fixture with the opportunity that a big win from either side could see them top the group after Australia only managed a thirty-four-point win over Fiji last night.

The sides have met twice previously with Scotland winning one and the other ending in a draw, the win being Scotlands record 104-0 win in 2009 European Cup, the other being a 30-30 draw in the group stages of the Word Cup in 2013.

Scotland had been handicapped by twelve points on the coupon, but with little to go on as to how the two sides would settle, it was a very difficult game to call. Both sides needed to win to give themselves any chance of finishing in the top two, the competition would be as good as over for today's losing side.

READ MORE ON THIS STORY...