Scotland Completed World Cup Preparation Matches

The preparation for Scotland to enter the 2011 Rugby World Cup is all over, as they were able to take out Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday, in a match ending 23-12. That ends their practice matches for New Zealand and gives them their second win in a row. The game saw both Scotland and Italy score two tries, but fly-half Dan Parks took advantage of three penalties to end the eighty minute game. Previously, they won against Ireland 10-6, but Winger Nicki Walker made it out of that game with a serious knee injury that caused him to be transported by paramedics.

On Monday, Scotland Coach Andy Robinson will announce who the squad will be for the World Cup. They started out strong, making a try in the first ten minutes thanks to Alasdair Dickinson, with the assistance of Winger Max Evans. Italy came back to take their own try with the help of Wingman Tommaso Benvenuti and Mirco Bergamasco. The second Penalty by Parks gave Scotland the lead with a half time score of 13-7, and they continued to take most of the possessions and the territory, but did end up giving away some turnovers.

The home crowd cheered the Scots on as both teams fought hard for the game and in the 48^th minute of the match Fabio Semenzato, a Treviso scrum half, was able to take the second try for the Italians. He made it through a hole in the Scot's defense. Scotland was finally able to take advance of a delayed clearance kick by Andrea Masi, with gave Mike Blair the chance to score the final tie. Scotland moves forward and will face one of the Rugby World Cup nations next.