Ukraine ran in eight tries – two each from wingers Davyd Zazimko and Danylo Vedler - to defeat Italy, 44-20, in the opening match of Euro C, at Pasian Di Prato, Udine. 

“It was a very exciting game, I’d rather have watched that as a fan than a coach,” said Ukraine head coach Dan Beardshaw. “It was really impressive how our boys battled through it, especially our domestic players - Oleksandr Fomiuk was very good and he’s only 21-years old, that’s what we’re trying to build here. We got our rewards late in the game.” 

Italy opened the scoring through second rower Leonard Plati but Vedler crossed for his first and Jett Cleary danced to the line to put Ukraine into the lead. Jack Piccirilli edged the hosts back in front, Alessandro Corte with his second goal and a penalty, but Ukraine were ahead at the break when their fullback Yuri Hromow crossed.

Despite Oleksandr Skorbach being sinbinned for dissent straight after the break, Zazimko crossed twice in nine minutes at the start of the second half to give Ukraine supremacy, and although Jackson Lenzo picked up Italy’s third try, a strong finish by the visitors saw Owen Hromow and Rhys Sciglitano – against his former nation – complete the scoring.

Italy head coach, Leo Epifania, noted: “Ukraine were outstanding, they played very tough. They made the most of our errors and lost possession and capitalised, they outplayed us with the opportunities we gave them, and they were tougher for longer which is something we have to learn.