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 0-11 Italy, 42 minutes
Italy’s kick chase has been good today, a nicely flighted Stephen Varney box kick allowing Louis Lynagh to rearrange the rib cartilage of the catcher.
Varney’s next effort is equally pleasant, Michele Lamaro this time with the brusque treatment, Cameron Winnett his victim.
Second half...
The players are out there again, Warren Gatland looking thoroughly grumpy. Paolo Garbisi will get proceedings back underway. 40 minutes for Wales to somewhat salvage their Six Nations.
HT: Wales 0-11 Italy
I didn’t expect Wales to look so lacking in intensity. This is a big day for a young squad and the safe bet would have been on them coming firing out of the blocks to get the crowd going; will Warren Gatland make an early change or two? There’s not heaps of experience on the bench but Will Rowlands’ heft might come in handy.
HT: Wales 0-11 Italy
Well, that was...bad. An error-ridden 40 minutes in this scrap over the wooden spoon, a prize which, right now, Wales look like worthy recipients of. It’s another scoreless half for Warren Gatland’s side, who haven’t been able to get out of their way so far - 11 handling errors rather tell the story.
Italy began brighter but have been dragged into the slopfest despite their set piece dominance. Better, please, after the interval, chaps.
Wales 0-11 Italy, 40 minutes
The Welsh scrum hits the deck under pressure. Penalty Italy with time running short in the half.
Wales turn them over soon after the lineout, and can launch a final offensive. Backwards, backwards, sideways, backwards - Italy force Wales into their own half.
Invention! A chip over the top similar to the one that nearly brought joy earlier, but again the Principality Stadium surface is too springy for the chaser. Italy send everyone down the tunnel.
Wales 0-11 Italy, 39 minutes
Sigh. A Welsh knock-on. Nick Tompkins loses his handle in contact.
Wales 0-11 Italy, 37 minutes
Wales will feel rather fortunate that Italy’s lead is only eleven points. A chargedown from Welsh hands is collected by Paolo Garbisi, who kicks long to Rio Dyer. Dyer tries Tommaso Menoncello’s channel on kick return, which is often unwise - the big Italian centre tickles the ribs of the Welsh wing.
A high kick is fumbled by Monty Ioane and Josh Adams, perhaps fortunately having appeared to flop off his feet, wins a holding on penalty from Seb Negri. Wales have to score before the half, you’d think - Sam Costelow prods them into the Italy 22.
Wales 0-11 Italy, 35 minutes
That’s more like it from Wales, enough of the frippery and instead playing the percentages, George North threading a grubber through at the first hint of slow ball.
Gianmarco Lucchesi finds his jumper at the front with a pressure throw, and Seb Negri smokes Josh Adams leading a good kick chase.
Wales 0-11 Italy, 33 minutes
Wales punt to just short of the ten-metre line, with Monty Ioane used on the inside to make metres from first phase. Wales struggle to stall their visitors, Lorenzo Cannone forcing free of a tackle but then throwing an ill-advised offload, taken in traffic by grateful Welsh hands.
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