Japan destroy Italy in the scrum and try a great look move in the backline but the last pass goes too far over the last mans head

Japan with a really positive passage of play but find themselves isolated too much and Italy grab hold of the ball and earn a penalty

Great kick by Goromaru as he extends the home sides lead to 6 points

Italy were on a team warning and Peyper stays true to his word by binning the next man for repeated infringements

Japan create a mini overlap on the left hand side but the defence comes across well to close it down. Japan still on attack and looking good 17m out

Both the sides are making their way out for the second half.

Go Japan!!

Multiple infringements by the Italians sees the referee, Jaco Peyper, issue an official team warning

Italy draw level through the boot of Orquera as the first half draws to a close

Japan look really good with ball in hand and seem to have their structures pretty well mapped out. They break through Tamura but he runs away from support and is caught holding on after the tackle.