WI: Scipio Doesn't Send Army to Spain?

so when Hannibal was marching through southern Gaul, Publius Scipio landed in Massalia, en route to Spain. He was surprised to find Hannibal in the area, and attempted to intercept him. Hannibal managed to slip by, and Scipio sent most of his army to Spain, sailing back to Italy.

This would prove to be crucial to the outcome of the war, depriving Hannibal of his home base essentially in the long run. So what if Scipio instead sailed back to Italy with his whole army? Assuming his army is defeated once Hannibal confronts him in in Italy, how huge an impact does this effect the war?

The Carthaginian troops in Spain are free to reinforce Hannibal, as it is unlikely the Romans would bother sending another army to Spain with Hannibal in Italy and no army already there fighting. It's late so I am not thinking too much into this, but I thought I'd post it before I go to bed to see what people think.
 
Even if Hannibal isn't able to bring in much from Spain, the butterflies would swarming here.

Without a Cornelian army in Spain, young Publius Scipio would have no army to command and wouldn't be able to get the credentials for his run for consul and later campaign in Africa. No one else really wanted to invade Africa. If Hannibal isn't forced to go home and no one is in Spain, this war could last much, much longer than it did. I'm not sure Hannibal could force a Roman capitulation, but he might get out of the war on much better terms unless the Romans manage to corner him and starve him out.
 
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