A team built around Italy internationals trounced Japan Top League side Yamaha Jubilo 52-19 on Saturday in a warmup match ahead of the Azzurri's two June tests against the Brave Blossoms.
Time after time, the Italian offloads led to line breaks, while Jubilo were worn down by the strength of the opposing pack and the speed of their backs.
Jubilo got off the mark first at Nagano U Stadium with Sho Kiyohara crossing in the second minute. But two tries in rapid succession in the 10th and 13th minutes put the Italian side ahead for good.
"It took two or three of our players to tackle one of theirs," Jubilo captain Kyosuke Horie said.
The visitors went into the break leading 26-19, and ran up the score on the hosts in the second half.
Italy plays Japan on June 9 in Oita and June 16 in Kobe. Japan will also take on Georgia at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture on June 23.
