A late penalty gave Italy a 20-18 win over Canada in a scrappy Test match dominated by penalties.

Tommaso Allan and Gordon McRorie traded kicks as the two teams went into the break level at 9-9 and the pattern continued in the second half as the hosts edged ahead 15-12 at BMO Field in Toronto.

Ornel Gega crossed for the only try of the game for Italy after an hour.

McRorie, who last week was successful with seven of eight kicks in a 26-point performance against Russia, booted a sixth penalty to restore Canada’s lead shortly afterwards, but it wasn’t enough for victory.

Down 18-17, substitute Carlo Canna kicked the decisive penalty from close range in the 72nd minute before receiving a yellow card for a high tackle on Dan Moor, reducing the Italians to 14 men, but they held on.