But while Furlan pulled the strings it was the Italian front line that bullied their rivals, prop Lucia Jha and hooker Awa Coulibaly, standing out.

The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes, Veronica Schiavon threading a tightly-angled penalty from just over 30 metres out.

Scotland coach Karen Findlay tried to rally her troops but they slipped further behind soon after the restart.

Furlan broke down the line and aimed a kick forward which Sara Barattin brilliantly chased down for a well-taken try, with Schiavon only just missing the resulting conversion.

Their lead established - and the weather worsening - Italy were content to sit back and absorb Scottish pressure.

Scotland welcomed back Nikki McLeod, for her first international start in four years, while prop Heather Lockhart was celebrating winning her 60th cap.

But this is a match both will want to forget as Italy head into their next game against Wales in Benevento brimming with confidence.

Meanwhile, Findlay may now be forced to reconsider her planning for Scotland's forthcoming fixture against Ireland on February 23.

Following their 76-0 mauling by England in their opening game, she largely stuck by the same group of players, which will make this defeat, and the fact they've yet to score a 6 Nations point this year, even harder to take.