Italy’s first win in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2022 has led to them improving their rating in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini.

The hard-fought 20-13 win over Scotland saw the Azzurre gain 0.46 of a rating point to move onto 75.58 points.

Under the points exchange system adopted by the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini, Scotland lost an equal amount of points in return and their rating is now down to 72.26 points.

Despite the changes, neither side’s position in the rankings is affected by the result at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma with Italy staying in eighth position and Scotland in 10th.

The Azzurre have, however, closed the gap between themselves and Ireland, the side immediately above them, to just under half a point.

Fortunately for Scotland, the margin of defeat was in single figures otherwise they would have run the risk of losing their place in the top 10 to Spain.

As it is, Scotland hold a narrow 0.16-point cushion over Las Leonas.

The Azzurre looked in danger of losing at home to Scotland for the first time since 1999 after falling 10-3 behind at the break.

However, the unfailing boot of Player of the Match, Michela Sillari, and tries from Melissa Bettoni and Silvia Turani, who was playing in her first test for 18 months, turned the game on its head.

Sansus stars again as France remain unbeaten

It was also a tale of two halves in the opening game of the fourth round of the Women’s Six Nations 2022 as France built up a 26-0 lead over hosts Wales.

The Championship’s top try-scorer, Laure Sansus, touched down twice either side of finishes from Caroline Boujard and Chloé Jacquet, to take her overall tally for the tournament to six.

Jessy Trémoulière added another after the break at Cardiff Arms Park but Wales were rewarded for a much-improved second-half performance with a try right near the end from Sioned Harries.

Harries’ score prevented Wales from going a fifth whole game against Les Bleues without scoring a try.

France did not gain any rating points in victory due to the large differential between themselves and Wales in the rankings but they are primed to take New Zealand’s spot in second if they can overcome England in next weekend’s Grand Slam decider in Bayonne.

Record crowd watches Red Roses march on

Like Les Bleues, England made it four wins from four with a 69-0 victory against Ireland in Sunday’s encounter at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester.

A new record crowd for a women's test in England of 15,836 fans watched the Red Roses pile on the points, 10 of them scored by Emily Scarratt on the occasion of her 100th test appearance.

Scarratt converted five of England’s 11 tries with Lark Davies, Lydia Thompson, Poppy Cleall and Ellie Kildunne all crossing the Irish line twice.

Sarah Bern, Marlie Packer and Hannah Botterman also scored while Zoe Harrison slotted two conversions after taking over the kicking duties from Scarratt.

England will go into ‘Le Crunch’ on top of the rankings on 96.26 points – 7.83 more than France who are third.