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
Wales 7-18 Italy, 66 minutes
And are Italy starting to slip? Back-to-back penalties, the first for a high tackle, the second for going off their feet at a ruck, and Wales return to advanced territory.
TRY! WALES 7-18 Italy (Elliot Dee, 64 minutes)
Given! Wales have a glimpse!
Italy may moan but I think that is a fair call - Elliot Dee had been tackled a metre or so shy, but it was the defenders hauling him towards the line rather than his teammates, with no unfair propulsion from the floor by the hooker, either. His grounding is good, too - Sam Costelow adds the extras and we might just have a game on our hands.
Try? Wales 0-18 Italy, 64 minutes
Now, this is interesting - there looks to be a grounding but has it been placed cleanly, and was the tackle complete first? Plenty for Joy Neville to sift through.
Wales 0-18 Italy, 64 minutes
Advantage coming for Wales, an offside defender up in Aaron Wainwright’s face too soon. Can they break their duck? Manuel Zuliani looks to have his limbs locked around the ball as Wales fight for inches but we’re going upstairs for a look...
Wales 0-18 Italy, 63 minutes
Williams has hurt himself, though - the scrum half limps off and is replaced by Kieran Hardy. He’s had a good tournament amid the chaos and carnage elsewhere.
Italy’s clearance was poor; Elliot Dee will throw his lineout ten metres from the line.
Wales 0-18 Italy, 62 minutes
Seb Negri does now take leave, Manuel Zuliani onto the field.
But it’s Wales on the attack! Metres up the right, a clean break up the left from Rio Dyer and Tomos Williams is dragged down five short.
Somehow, though, Italy pilfer breakdown ball! Their three back rowers are all involved, Michele Lamaro and replacements Zuliani and Ross Vintcent combining to keep Wales out again. Remarkable.
Wales 0-18 Italy, 61 minutes
“For me, it is accidental - he is trying to compete for the ball,” Mathieu Ryanal explains, and Joy Neville is in agreement after the pair make sure to check the footage at real speed. No foul play, no sanction - and both Pani and Grady are ok to continue, the latter now with a healthy band of strapping around his bonce. That could have been nasty.
Wales 0-18 Italy, 61 minutes
TMO Joy Neville does want a look. Pani had gone in to try and gather before appearing to try and pull out with Grady getting his fingers around the ball, but by then the collision was inevitable. How will the officials view this?
Wales 0-18 Italy, 60 minutes
Paolo Garbisi leaps high and claims a kick impressively, accelerating as he hits the deck to pierce two defenders and make ten metres or so. Martin Page-Relo slows things down and kicks deep, forcing Wales to play from their own territory.
Yikes! A Sam Costelow chip leads to a nasty collision and a possible clash of heads - it was Mason Grady and Lorenzo Pani contesting the bouncing ball and it appears the Italian has come off worse. Will the TMO want to look at his challenge, though, with Grady getting his hands to the ball?
Wales 0-18 Italy, 59 minutes
Italy introduce Mirco Spagnolo and Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti and Giacomo Nicotera replace after enterprising engagements throughout. Sebastian Negri trudges towards the touchline, too, though it appears the flanker will be with us for a while longer yet, with no replacement readied.
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