ITALY fell just short of toppling Scotland at the top of WXV 2 following a 30-8 victory over USA.

Needing to win by 25 points to end at the summit, first-half tries from Giordana Duca and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi helped open up a 12-3 lead at the break.

Sofia Stefan crossed to stretch the advantage before Tahlia Brody went over for USA’s first score of the afternoon on 47 minutes.

Tries from Alyssa D’Inca and Elisa Giordano, along with a Michela Sillari penalty, meant Italy had 17 minutes to find the extra three points they needed but they fell just short, coming closest with five minutes to play as a try was disallowed for obstruction.

Elsewhere, Libbie Janse van Rensburg’s 23-point haul led South Africa to a 33-7 victory over Samoa.

The talismanic fly-half crossed either side of Catha Jacobs’ score as the Springbok Women raced out the traps, securing the bonus point a minute before half time when Lusanda Dumke went over for their fourth try.

Samoa improved after the break and scored through Sui Pauaraisa on 72 minutes but there was still time for Janse van Rensburg to complete her hat-trick late on and lift South Africa to third.