Your Scrumhalf Connection

from Women’s Six Nations:

Sarah Gill struck two second-half penalties to earn Scotland a 6-6 draw against Italy – but their wait for a first away victory in the women’s Championship goes on.

Six points from the boot of Italian fly-half Valentina Schiavon had put Italy on course for their maiden win of this year’s competition but Scotland improved after the break to snatch a draw.

But the result came at a price with Watsonians hooker Sarah-Louise Walker along with wingers Lynsey Douglas and Victoria Blakeworth all departing the field with injuries.

Both teams had chances to go for the win late on, but neither side could grasp the opportunities that came their way to leave Scotland boss Gary Parker a frustrated figure.

Schiavon gave her side the lead with a penalty on 11 minutes before doubling the advantage with another kick just four minutes before halftime to put Italy 6-0 ahead.

Walker and Douglas had already departed the fray at this point and Parker’s decision to replace scrum-half Louise Dalgliesh with Gill during the interval paid dividends.

A 52nd minute penalty brought the Scots back into the game before Murrayfield Wanderers star Gill levelled the scores to set up a tense finale.

In a war of attrition, both teams had kickable penalties to win the match but in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

For a full schedule of all the 2010 Six Nations action, go here. For travel packages to England for the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup, go here.