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
Italy team news
Italy are without Ange Capuozzo, who fractured a finger in the win over Scotland and is replaced by Lorenzo Pani at full-back. Stephen Varney is preferred to Martin Page-Relo at scrum half and Lorenzo Cannone steps in for Ross Vintcent at No 8.
There are six forwards on the bench, with Manuel Zuliani back amongst things and Leonardo Marin once more providing backline cover.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt), 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Louis Lynagh, 15 Lorenzo Pani
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Andrea Zambonin, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Manuel Zuliani; 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Leonardo Marin
Wales team news
George North will make his 121st and final appearance in Welsh red having been recalled for a home farewell at outside centre ahead of a summer move to Provence. North reunites with Nick Tompkins in midfield having each been left out for the defeat to France in an otherwise unchanged backline.
Captain Dafydd Jenkins moves forward into the second row having been deployed at six last week, partnering Adam Beard, with Alex Mann brought back into the starting side. Dillon Lewis is also promoted from the bench at tighthead; his back-up is a potential debutant in Harri O’Connor.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Dillon Lewis; 4 Dafydd Jenkins (capt), 5 Adam Beard; 6 Alex Mann, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Sam Costelow; 11 Rio Dyer, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 George North, 14 Josh Adams; 15 Cameron Winnett
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin; 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady
How to watch Wales v Italy
When is Wales v Italy?
Wales v Italy is due to kick off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 16 March at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 1.45pm GMT. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Everything you need to know about Wales v Italy
Wales and Italy will battle to avoid a Six Nations wooden spoon as the two sides kick off Super Saturday in Cardiff.
A brilliant win over Scotland and draw with France leaves Gonzalo Quesada’s Azzurri poised to avoid the bottom of the men’s table for the first time since 2015.
Warren Gatland’s side will be desperate to achieve their first win of the championship having fought well for an hour against France before succumbing to the visitors’ power last Sunday.
Wales will say farewell to one of their greats, George North, as they bid to avoid a winless Six Nations and first wooden spoon since 2003.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Wales v Italy live stream: How to watch Six Nations online and on TV
Everything you need to know ahead of the final round fixture
Warren Gatland hails ‘incredible’ George North ahead of international retirement
Wales head coach Warren Gatland led tributes to George North after his announcement that he will retire from Test rugby following Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy.
North has decided to call time on an international career that has yielded 120 caps, 47 tries for Wales, four Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, four World Cups and two British and Irish Lions tours, when he played in three Tests.
“George has contributed hugely to Welsh rugby in an incredible career, starting as an 18-year-old,” Gatland said.
Warren Gatland hails ‘incredible’ George North ahead of international retirement
The Wales boss described North as ‘outstanding and a credit to himself’.
Six Nations: Three magic George North moments ahead of final Wales appearance
France v Wales – February 1, 2019
Wales began their 2019 Six Nations campaign with a Friday night encounter against France in Paris, and it looked bleak for the visitors when they trailed 16-0 at half-time.
North, though, proved the catalyst of a remarkable turnaround.
He pounced on a dreadful defensive error by France wing Yoann Huget to touch down and put Wales back in contention, then he intercepted France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina’s pass to speed away and leave Les Bleus crestfallen.
Wales went on to win the Six Nations title and a Grand Slam.
3 magic George North moments ahead of final Wales appearance
The 31-year-old will make his 121st and final Wales appearance on Saturday.
Six Nations: How England can conquer France’s heavy artillery in Six Nations showdown
The city of Lyon, then Lugdunum, was a place of centrality in the story of the Roman empire, seized after the demise of Julius Caesar and established as the capital of the Gauls. Two emperors were born on the Fourviere hill that now overlooks this marvellous metropolis, one of the great sites of pilgrimage for gastronomes and gourmands, modern tendrils twisting away from the classical rues of the riverbanks.
It was here in the late 2ndcentury that one of the empire’s biggest, bloodiest battles occurred, Emperor Septimius Severus quelling the forces of usurper Clodius Albinus to at last establish calm after a period of extreme turmoil. Seeking something similar this weekend in Lyon is Steve Borthwick after England’s own period of unrest, the head coach building from the biggest win of his tenure so far and recognising an opportunity for another significant step forward.
England’s narrow victory over Ireland was proof of the process and progress that Borthwick is wanting from his team. For the first time since 2020, they will finish a Six Nations with more than two victories; regardless of how events in Dublin on Saturday impact upon their title ambitions, a record of four wins from five is a distinct possibility.
How England can conquer France’s heavy artillery in Six Nations showdown
France and England conclude Super Saturday on the final weekend of the Six Nations with Le Crunch in Lyon
Six Nations: Three magic George North moments ahead of final Wales appearance
Australia v Lions – June 22, 2013
North’s progression for Wales made him an obvious choice for the 2013 British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia, and he did not disappoint.
He made his presence felt early in the first Test in Brisbane, scoring a stunning solo try that showcased the 6ft 4in wing’s pace and power as he brushed aside Wallabies defenders Pat McCabe and James O’Connor.
It was a highlight of the Lions’ 23-21 victory, while a week later in the Melbourne-staged second Test, North provided another memorable moment when he tackled Israel Folau by effectively picking the Australia wing up and carrying him.
3 magic George North moments ahead of final Wales appearance
The 31-year-old will make his 121st and final Wales appearance on Saturday.
I’ve loved it – George North reflects on living Wales ‘dream’ after calling time
Wales star George North fought back tears as he reflected on an international career that saw him “live a dream”.
The 31-year-old has announced that he will retire from Test rugby after Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy in Cardiff.
He made his Wales debut as a teenager in 2010, touching down twice against South Africa, and has scored 47 tries for his country – a figure bettered only by Shane Williams.
North is third on Wales’ all-time cap list with 120 Test appearances behind Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins, while he played in four Rugby World Cups and helped Wales win four Six Nations titles – including two Grand Slams.
He also toured Australia with the 2013 British and Irish Lions, which included him scoring a brilliant solo try in the first Test and then famously picking up and carrying Wallabies wing Israel Folau during the second game, and New Zealand four years later.
I’ve loved it – George North reflects on living Wales ‘dream’ after calling time
The 31-year-old has announced will retire from Test rugby after Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy in Cardiff.
Italy suffer key Ange Capuozzo blow ahead of Six Nations wooden-spoon decider with Wales
Italy have made three changes to their side to face Wales in their final Six Nations clash in Cardiff on Saturday as Lorenzo Pani comes in to replace the injured Ange Capuozzo at full back.
The lively Capuozzo fractured a finger in his left hand during the 31-29 victory over Scotland last weekend and has been ruled out, having been a key figure for the side when they defeated Wales 22-21 in their last visit to the Principality Stadium in 2022 – memorably creating the winning try.
Other changes made by head coach Gonzalo Quesada see Stephen Varney start at scrum half ahead of Martin Page-Relo, who drops to the bench, and Lorenzo Cannone come in at No 8 in place of Ross Vintcent, who is also among the replacements.
Italy suffer Ange Capuozzo blow ahead of Six Nations wooden-spoon decider with Wales
The superstar full back was the hero when Italy stunned Wales in Cardiff two years ago but has a fractured finger
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