Wales beat Italy in Rome on Saturday to claim their first win in this year’s Six Nations and strike a blow in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
Rio Dyer, Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau all touched down with a penalty try adding to a 29-17 victory at the Stadio Olimpico and condemning Italy to their 24th straight home defeat in the competition.
Owen Williams also kicked seven points in a win which belied pre-match talk of the hosts being favourites against a Wales team which has had a troubled tournament.
Warren Gatland’s side leapfrog the Italians into fifth place on five points and will avoid finishing in last place for the first time in 20 years as long as the Azzurri don’t beat Scotland at Murrayfield next weekend.
Wales, who round off their campaign against France in Paris, had only scored three tries in their first three defeats but capitalised on an error-strewn performance from the Italians who without star full-back Ange Capuozzo regressed into bad habits of old.
Kieran Crowley’s Italy will have to go back to the drawing board after accruing a huge amount of good will with previous displays, in particular against France and Ireland.
They dotted down through twice through Sebastian Negri and Juan Ignacio Brex, with Tommaso Allan kicking seven points, but were always chasing the game.
© Agence France-Presse
His name is Rio and he dances down the wing ?@WelshRugbyUnion #GuinnessSixNations#ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/THUYiPLrUP
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
??????? Beep beep coming through for try Number 2 ?@WelshRugbyUnion‘s @SanjayWills is over?#ITAvWAL #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/uVK3DS0wpN
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
?? @Federugby‘s Sebastian Negri gets over the line for the hosts! #ITAvWAL #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/zOHqtgeHF2
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
⚡️ Go Rhys Lightning ?
Rhys Webb sets up Taulupe Faletau for @WelshRugbyUnion’s third try ?#ITAvWAL #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/7txR4JGhUl
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 11, 2023
Photo: @WelshRugbyUnion/Twitter