Seven-try Italy overwhelm Canada 48-7

Reuters: Italy’s forwards bludgeoned Canada into submission and restored some order to the Rugby World Cup by scoring seven tries in a 48-7 victory in energy sapping humidity at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium on Thursday, catapulting them to the top of Pool B. 

It was the second successive bonus-point victory for Conor O’Shea’s side after a 47-22 win over Namibia last Sunday and all but assured them of third place in a pool that includes heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa. 

They have 10 points but still need to face the All Blacks and Springboks and would need an upset of the magnitude of Wednesday’s win for Uruguay over Fiji in Kamaishi to sneak into the quarter-finals.