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 0-0 Italy, 2 minutes
Michele Lamaro makes a strong first carry, creating the room for Stephen Varney to clear beyond halfway. The scrum halk keeps his box kick infield and Wales soon go to the air, testing Lorenzo Pani, who kicks long off his left boot.
Cameron Winnett’s replay finds green grass, but Monty Ioane is across to gather on the hop and connect with a teammate. A couple more kicks and off goes Ioane, beating a couple and offloading but Paolo Garbisi fumbles he enters the Welsh half. Still, a reminder of the wing’s threat.
KICK OFF!
The opening match of the final weekend is upon us. Mathieu Raynal has a final check with his assistants and then permits Sam Costelow to get us underway. Wales v Italy has begun!
Wales v Italy
A few Roman centurions in the stands join the Italian gladiators on the pitch in a passionate rendition of their anthem, Danilo Fischetti and Michele Lamaro providing their typical punch to the final line.
George North struggles to hold it together as he hears Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau for the final time wearing Welsh red. Dafydd Jenkins looks pretty emotional alongside him, too. It’s a big day for Welsh rugby.
Wales v Italy
George North will lead Wales out of the tunnel as he makes his final appearance in international rugby, a Welsh great taking a richly-deserved final ovation from the Principality crowd.
A touch of the surface, a jump into the air, North going about his familiar routine with a tear or two in the eye as the fireworks fly. An emotional day.
The rest of our combatants follow the centre out.
Wales v Italy match officials
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)
ARs: Chris Busby (Ire) & Morné Ferreira (SA)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ire)
Wales v Italy referee: Who is Six Nations official Mathieu Raynal?
The Frenchman will take charge of the final round fixture
Wales v Italy
Right then, kick off is almost upon us in Cardiff. One more day of men’s Six Nations action left in 2024 - what does Super Saturday have in store?
George North’s shock retirement reminds Wales exactly how far they’ve fallen
After 120 caps, Wales legend North will play his final game for his country against Italy on Saturday with his side in a very different place to where they were at his peak
Wales v Italy
There was a lot of chat about Warren Gatland’s decision to leave out Nick Tompkins and George North in Cardiff last week, but their return for this fixture is little surprise, however impressive Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts were in their stead for the first hour against France. While North took the headlines this week, Tompkins feels key today, both in helping out Sam Costelow in countering Italy’s midfield carrying threat and in trying to get over the ball to slow the visitors down - the centre is a good jackaler and he and Tommy Reffell will surely try to get hands on breakdown ball early and often.
Wales v Italy
I’m really intrigued by the scrum battle today. Wales have plenty of experience in their starting front row and will surely try to get after a somewhat lightweight Italian tight five, but Mirco Spagnolo, the visitors’ replacement loosehead, has been a real find in this tournament, and Italy will be confident that they can turn the screw when Wales go to their callow props on the bench.
Wales v Italy
That day two years ago at the Principality had something of an end-of-term feel, Wales perhaps taking their eye off the ball as they celebrated both Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar making landmark appearances. Surely they won’t be so lax again today, even with George North bowing out.
Last time Italy played Wales in Cardiff...
If there’s anything near the same amount of drama today as there was the last time Italy played Wales in Cardiff, then we’re in for a treat!
Two years ago, Italy headed to the Principality Stadium on a 36-match losing streak in the Six Nations that stretched back to 2015.
But with 78 minutes on the clock, teenage full back Ange Capuozzo went on a mazy run, popped a pass inside to Edoardo Padovani for a run-in under the posts and Paolo Garbisi added the conversion for a historic one-point Azzurri win that was a launchpad for their continued improvement over the past two years
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