Aura Muzzo scored a pair of tries as Italy fought back for a 22-10 win over the United States in their opening Pool B clash at the women's Rugby World Cup on Sunday, while Wales secured a last-gasp win over Scotland in their Pool A contest.
Hallie Taufoou's fourth-minute try gave the Americans an early advantage in Whangarei, New Zealand, but Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi crossed for Italy before Muzzo's double and a superb solo effort from Maria Magatti secured victory.
"We are, of course, really happy," said Italy coach Andrea Di Giandomenico. "We win, we have a bonus point. Of course we had to work to manage possession during the game but I think it's a very good start."
Italy's pack had been weakened by the early loss to injury of Ilaria Arrighetti and the United States took advantage, outmuscling the Italians in the scrum, and Taufoou's try gave the Americans the lead.
But for all their dominance, the Americans were unable to add to their first-half tally and Italy took the lead two minutes before the break.
Francesca Sgorbini burst through the American defensive line before the ball was eventually moved out to the right for Minuzzi to score in the corner.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Muzzo combined with Beatrice Rigoni to give Italy a 12-5 lead.
Jenny Kronish pulled a try back for the Americans following Minuzzi's yellow card, but Rigoni provided for Muzzo again in the 63rd minute to restore the Italian advantage.
Magatti then put the seal on the win in emphatic fashion 10 minutes from time with a 40 meter cross-field sprint to score in the corner.
Canada joined the Italians in picking up a bonus-point win in their Pool B opener, with Emily Tuttosi scoring a hat trick of tries in a comfortable 41-5 victory over Japan.
Paige Farries gave the Canadians the perfect start when she touched down with a barely a minute on the clock, when Komachi Imakugi's kick was blocked.
Japan's Maki Takano burrowed over the line to level the scores four minutes later but the Canadians soon showed the gulf in class between the teams.
Tuttosi scored her first from the back of the maul 14 minutes into the game, and Briana Miller increased the advantage 10 minutes later.
Tuttosi crossed again in the 29th minute and Miller claimed her second with five minutes remaining in the half.
Ten minutes into the second half, Tuttosi completed her hat trick before a further try from Mikiela Nelson gave Canada a comprehensive win.
In Sunday's final game, Keira Bevan scored a penalty in the dying seconds as Wales battled to an 18-15 victory over Scotland.
Wales scored tries through Alisha Butchers and Kayleigh Powell to lead 15-5 at the break. Scotland then moved up a gear, with Megan Gaffney going across the line twice to level the scores at 15-all, before Bevan showed nerves of steel to seal the win in the 86th minute.
"Credit to our girls for having the bravery to play till the end, to try and get that penalty, and fair play to Keira for slotting it," Wales coach Ioan Cunningham said.