Wales 21-24 Italy: New Six Nations low for home side as Azzurri show their class in Cardiff

By Matt Priest

Tries from Monty Ioane and Lorenzo Pani condemned Wales to a wooden spoon Six Nations whitewash – and a 24-21 scoreline that flattered the dismal home side.

Three Paolo Garbisi penalties and a penalty from Martin Page-Relo were enough to secure gave the Azzurri their second victory of the tournament following their 31-29 success against the Scots in Rome last weekend. Their outstanding centre Ignacio Brex was full value for his man-of-the-match award.

It was also Italy’s best Six Nations table finish since they joined the competition in 2000 and the first time they haven’t ended the tournament at the foot of the table since 2015.

For Wales, it was a new low. They were whitewashed in 2003, but at least in that campaign they could say they were beaten by Italy without home advantage.

Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands and Mason Grady claimed tries, but Rowlands’ and Grady’s scores came late on and put a false complexion on the final scoreline.

The encounter started off slowly with both teams playing the kicking game, but Wales, from the off, never looked like they had the power or the guile to see off the Italians.

Garbisi opened the scoring five minutes in through a penalty in front of the posts to reward a strong opening period of Italian pressure.

He then doubled the Azzurri’s lead with his second penalty of the game in the 12th minute when Michele Lamaro forced a turnover after George North dived on a loose ball.

Ioane got the first try in the 19th minute after Italy shipped the ball out wide on the Welsh five-meter line.

Wales played most of the first half in their own 22, with handling errors by Sam Costelow and Cam Winnett showing the inexperience of this young Welsh side throughout.

As the first half drew to a close Wales seemed to make some progress but once again multiple handling errors kept them from scoring.

The second half started much like the first, with Italy seemingly in control.

Pani crossed for a delightful second Italian try in the 46th minute after running half the field and avoiding tackle attempts by Tomos Williams and Tommy Reffell.

Wales came more into the game around the hour mark with Mason Grady coming off the bench and making an immediate impact with a pair of line-breaks, but once more the Welsh forwards couldn’t keep hold of the ball.

Wales continued to pile on the pressure as Rio Dyer skipped through the Italian defence and off-loaded to Williams who was tackled just short of the try line by Ross Vincent.

Dee clawed things one back in the 64th minute with a pushover try as Wales seemed to finally find a foothold.

Will Rowlands scored in the final minutes to give Wales a bit of hope, but by the time Grady ran from deep for Wales’s third try of the game, it was all too late for the hosts.

It was a sombre final game for George North who finished his international career with a defeat, while Wales have now lost 11 of their last 12 Six Nations matches.