Italy underline their class with positive win over Japan in Treviso

Italy claimed a 42-21 win over Japan in a frenetic Test in Treviso, giving Kieran Crowley’s men momentum going into the Rugby World Cup.

The Azzurri’s wings Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane were on song as they caused huge problems throughout the clash, which led to some beautiful tries.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring as in-form playmaker Paolo Garbisi added another try assist to his resume as he played in his half-back partner Steven Varney in for a try in the seventh minute.  Tommaso Allan made no mistake from the tee.

Japan responded 10 minutes later as Jone Naikabula benefited from a well-worked move to crash over and score.  The extras were not added on this occasion.

The see-saw game swung back in the favour of Italy who scored arguably the try of the game, started by Ioane who played Capuozzo into some space down the right-hand side.  The superstar made good ground down the touchline before kicking it infield where Ioane won the ball and scored.  Allan was on hand again to kick the conversion.

🤯 Ange Capuozzo with a typically beautiful try assist! #ITAvJPN pic.twitter.com/ERItuJiUG7

― Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 26, 2023

Seung Sin Lee of Japan kicked two penalties whilst Allan added one before the break as the hosts carried a 17-11 lead.

Allan was on hand again to kick a penalty after the break before a neat offload played Japan full-back Kotaro Matsushima in for the try in the 52nd minute.  The conversion was missed again.

Italy did not wait to respond as Ioane scored a fantastic try only four minutes later with Allan missing on this occasion.

Allan was on the scoresheet again in the 65th minute as he kicked another penalty to give his side some breathing room.

Japan tightened the game up just after the clock struck 70 minutes through an unconverted try scored by Dylan Riley.

The hosts held on for the win and will be happy to be gathering momentum going into the global showpiece in France.

Ioane completed his hat-trick in the final few minutes as Allan added the two extras off the tee before substitute Martin Page Relo scored a fortuitous converted try right at the end of time.