Wales v Italy LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as brilliant Azzurri stun struggling hosts
Wales 21-24 Italy: The Azzurri outclassed Wales to seal a best-ever Six Nations campaign of two wins and a draw
Wales slipped to a dismal end to a testing Six Nations campaign as a spirited and resurgent Italy impressed in Cardiff to win 24-21 in the first of three fascinating contests to round out the 2024 championship.
Warren Gatland’s side had the emotional factor of George North playing his final game for his country after announcing his shock retirement following 120 caps but an appalling first half saw them trail the Azzurri 11-0 at the break.
Lorenzo Pani added to their woe with a gorgeous solo score after the break and a couple of penalties put them out of sight before Will Rowlands and Mason Grady grabbed consolation tries at the death, although it couldn’t stop Wales slipping to a deserved wooden spoon.
The hosts had been hoping to snap a poor run in the Six Nations but have claimed just two wins from the last 16 games, while the Azzurri have fresh optimism of a great era after securing their best-ever Six Nations campaign with two wins and a draw.
Relive all the action
TRY! WALES 12-24 Italy (Will Rowlands, 80 minutes)
A second Welsh score at the death but Italy won’t mind.
The big and burly lock punches over from close range. Sam Costelow converts - but that’s a horrible sight, George North’s final appearance for Wales ending with the centre being helped off by a pair of medics. How sad for North, who takes a consolatory ovation from the stands. This isn’t how he’d have liked it to end.
Wales 7-24 Italy, 79 minutes
Tapped quickly. Aaron Wainwright is dragged down a yard or so shy of the Italy line. Will Rowlands!...
Wales 7-24 Italy, 78 minutes
Knocked on over the line! Oh, if that isn’t an image to sum up this Welsh performance and tournament, driving into the Italian in-goal but the ball hitting the deck. Back for a penalty.
Wales 7-24 Italy, 76 minutes
The Wales scrum is in retreat but they get a whistle their way, Mathieu Raynal sympathetic to debutant tighthead Harri O’Connor and picking out Mirco Spagnolo’s angle as illegal. Wales kick into the Italy 22 but it’s all over bar the accounting.
Wales 7-24 Italy, 75 minutes
Ready the utensils draw, Warren - this has surely been an uncomfortable watch for the Wales head coach, Gatland shaking his head as Wales fumble again. The official count is 16 handling errors, 12 turnovers conceded and 13 penalties against the hosts. It’s been a wretched afternoon.
Juan Ignacio Brex is named the official player of the match. Another outstanding performance from the centre.
PENALTY! Wales 7-24 ITALY (Martin Page-Relo, 74 minutes)
Martin Page-Relo slots the penalty and embraces his captain - he knows what that means! Barring something extraordinary, Italy will finish this Six Nations with a winning record.
Wales 7-21 Italy, 73 minutes
Nearly a dagger! Louis Lynagh flies out of the line and comes so close to picking off the floaty wide pass. He’d have cantered in, too.
Just a knock on...and Italy soon have another penalty. They’ve been superb over the ball today, and Paolo Garbisi is rewarded for his work at the ruck. Martin Page-Relo takes over kicking duties.
PENALTY! Wales 7-21 ITALY (Paolo Garbisi, 71 minutes)
Just enough welly. Paolo Garbisi extends Italy’s advantage to two converted scores.
Wales 7-18 Italy, 69 minutes
Italy controlled the last ten minutes so well against Scotland last week, and are in a position of strength here. They won’t stop playing, though, Juan Ignacio Brex almost forcing free of a defender while running from deep before Italy kick long.
Penalty to the visitors! Paolo Garbisi beckons for the tee after a Welshman advances from an offside position in front of the kicker...
Wales 7-18 Italy, 67 minutes
Frustrating for Wales - Mackenzie Martin knocks on! The replacement back row is used at scrum half at the lineout but fails to take the toss back his way as the rest of the forwards feign a maul. The youngster apologises to his mates - it was eminently catchable. Those Welsh butter fingers strike again.
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