Wales ended their three-year wait to win the Six Nations by defeating Italy 31-17 in Cardiff.
Steve Tandy’s side have shown marked improvement since their disastrous first-leg defeat to England, and Aaron Wainwright’s first-half double finally clinched victory, putting them on track for a long-awaited victory and their first in the competition since March 2023, when they ended a 15-game losing streak in the Six Nations.
Nothing can prevent England from winning a third successive wooden spoon unless they suffer a record defeat in Paris, but at least they have been given some reason for optimism in an uncertain period for Welsh rugby.
Man of the Match was won by No. 8 Wainwright, who converted two crosses in 11 minutes, while captain Dewi Lake also scored in the 30th minute, giving Wales a 21-0 lead at half-time.
Wales players celebrate Dewi Lake’s try
Fly-half Dan Edwards scored a try for the bonus point, while substitutes Luigi Di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan and fly-half Paolo Garbisi added 11 points for the trailing Italians.
Italy were a shadow of the team that won the historic victory over England. They adopted a kick-heavy game plan and at times chased down the hosts through the air, but it was a frustrating afternoon for their talented backline who were largely on the back foot.
Tommaso Menoncello’s early breakthrough from inside his own half was a false dawn, and Garbisi squandered a chance to open the scoring by dragging a penalty past the post. Things went steadily downhill from there.
Wales took the lead in the 15th minute with a goal from Wainwright, who ran over Giacomo Nicotera on his way to the tryline, but he momentarily forced his way through after the home side bludgeoned within a meter of a whitewash.
Captain Lake scored a try in the 30th minute with a catch and drive, and Edwards converted all three in a dream-like first period.
Dan Edwards scores bonus point try for Wales
Edwards took advantage of the penalty after the restart with a dummy cross for a bonus point try and a drop goal to make it 31-0 after 48 minutes.
Luigi Di Bartolomeo scored a touchdown from a driving maul to get Italy on the scoreboard. Substitute prop Archie Griffin received a yellow card for cynically trying to bring the ball to the ground, but 10 minutes of sin-time failed to close the gap further.
Fellow substitute Allan scored the second goal shortly after squandering a chance on the right, but TMO ruled out late shots from Monty Ioane and Leonardo Marin.
Garbisi dived for a corner in the final play, but Wales supporters were already basking in their first Six Nations win at home since February 2022.
Lake: This win is for Wales fans.
Wales captain Dewi Lake told the BBC:
“This is for the 70,000 fans who came to watch and supported us during difficult times.
“There’s a lot of noise and things going on behind the scenes in Welsh rugby, but once we get into camp all our focus is on that.
“(Coach Steve Tandy) really brought this group together in how much we care and trust each other.
“That bond doesn’t happen overnight, but it helps us through the tough moments on the field. That care he and the entire staff show has made us stronger.”
Tandy praises Wales’ young players
Wales head coach Steve Tandy told the BBC:
“This performance has arrived.
“You can’t get ahead of yourself, you have to make sure the big parts of the game come together and I think we did that in the first half.
“This young group is learning and improving and we have to keep doing that. They are great to work with and want to represent their country.”
Ramaro laments Italy’s contradictions
Italy captain Michele Ramaro is tackled by Blair Murray
Italy captain Michele Lamaro told the BBC:
“Kudos to Wales, they played a great game in front of the crowd and we know how much this stadium means to them.
“We knew we had a good chance and we knew if we played – very physical, very precise – we would make an impression.
“We did it step by step, but we were too inconsistent, gave away too many penalties and allowed them 22 goals. We lost a lot of energy in doing so.
“I tried to control it in the end, but it was too late.”
Was it the hangover from the England game? “100 percent no. The Six Nations was long and we put a lot of energy into the game. That’s what the Six Nations is and that’s what makes it beautiful.”
