American Marconi Wireless News - Sluggish Italy fight to narrow win over Georgia

Deservedly trailing 17-6 at half-time, Italy managed to get their first win of the autumn thanks to a penalty try in the 53rd minute and Alessandro Fusco bundling over the line 10 minutes later.

However, Sunday's display was far from the sort which gave Italy their best-ever Six Nations results earlier this year and won't calm fears of a potential hammering at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday.

Gonzalo Quesada's team were thumped by Argentina last weekend and were again suffering from the sluggishness their coach has suggested would affect their performances this month.

Italy spent much of the second half bumping up against Georgia's rugged rearguard action and struggled to create openings.

They got back into the game when Aka Tabutsadze was penalised for a knock-on which stopped Monty Ioane from scoring a try, and afterwards Italy laid seige to Georgia's try-line until Fusco finally snuck in to dot down the decisive score.

L.Davis--AMWN