Italy managed to scrape a 23-18 victory as they overcame a tough Canada side who produced some scintillating rugby at times, scoring two brilliant tries along the way.
The Italians just about got the job done, but they were given a serious test by a Canada side who looked to be a completely different team to the one that took the field against Ireland last weekend.
The first score of the game came from the boot of Canada's outhalf Nate Hirayama after 13 minutes where it looked as though Canada were the side in control of the match.
If that opening period provided little entertainment, the excitement immediately turned up a few notches as a superb piece of play produced an early contender for try of the tournament as DTH Van der Merwe and Ciaran Hearn exchanged passes off the back of a stunning run.
The conversion was slotted over to give them a 10-0 lead, but that seemed to spur Italy into a bit of life as they responded through a try from Michele Rizzo.
Image: Nigel French / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Tommasso Allan slotted over the conversion and drew the scores level shortly afterwards with a penalty, adding another just before the break to give Italy the lead 13-10 as the teams went into the dressing room.
Canada came out of the traps quickly in the second half in top form as they scored again through Matt Evans, and looked as though they had added another shortly afterwards, after some great handling created space on the wing, but the TMO called it back after a forward pass was spotted.
Gonzalo Garcia closed the gap for Italy, and the boot of Allan once again made sure of the win as he slotted over the conversion and an other penalty to give his side a 23-18 victory.
At no stage did Canada look overawed, as they had against Ireland in the previous game, so it will be a particularly tough defeat for them to take this time around, given the flowing, fast rugby they played at times.
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