Italy 14 - 19 Argentina: Argentina end year on high

First start: Tommaso Allan. Picture: Getty

Nicholas Sanchez booted 14 points, with Juan Imhoff crossing in an encounter which was strewn with errors, thanks in large part to the wet conditions.

Former Scotland U20 international Tommaso Allan kicked three penalties for the home team, with Michele Campagnaro scoring their try as they ended the autumn campaign with a second defeat.

Allan, making his first start for Italy, took just five minutes to get Italy on the board, converting a penalty as the Pumas were penalised at the scrum. Argentina then began to apply some pressure with some good ball carrying inside the 22 but Italy’s defence stood firm.

Allan pulled a kick wide after 15 minutes but he would not make the same mistake twice and it was 6-0 four minutes later when Sanchez strayed offside.

The South Americans did not take long to hit back and Imhoff went over for their first try after 21 minutes.

Argentina’s lead was to last just three minutes as Allan landed his third penalty soon after to hand Italy back their advantage at 9-7.

Sanchez moved the Pumas back ahead by a point at the break with his first penalty but Allan was short with two shots at goal in the closing moments of the opening period.

Allan made it three misses in a row after the interval and Sanchez made him pay as he extended the lead to four from the tee.

The home side would get their try after 62 minutes thanks to Campagnaro, who beat Imhoff to Allan’s cross-field kick to touch down. Both sides were struggling with discipline and Sanchez came up short with one penalty before nailing a 68th-minute effort.

Six minutes from time Sanchez’s boot opened up a five-point gap with a drop goal but Italy continued to press, with Gonzalo Canale eventually knocking on a Sergio Parisse pass.