Wales were lumbered with the wooden spoon as they ended their dismal Six Nations campaign with a 21-24 home defeat to Italy
The blue wall proved to be sturdier than the red. Given the rate at which Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy are improving that should come as little surprise, but the facts are increasingly stark for Wales. Warren Gatland’s side have been consigned to the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003 after a seventh straight Six Nations defeat at home. They end a dismal tournament with five defeats out of five and only four points.
Wales’s timing was off, passes refused to stick, attacking options were limited. Basic errors and a lack of communication hampered them at every turn. They are a young team, but there could be little excuse for some of the ineptitude on display.Italy, meanwhile, make history by avoiding defeat in three championship matches for the first time. They have built since the second-round defeat by Ireland: a, and now a stunning display that silenced the Principality Stadium.
The first half was one-way traffic. Some beautiful handling by Paolo Garbisi, Tommaso Menoncello and the dangerous Monty Ioane crafted an opportunity down the left: after a couple of short-range bashes, the ball was worked right for Ioane to sprint over. Things seemed to be falling into place for Italy: passes fizzed and runners were always available. All Wales had to show for the first quarter were a couple of turnovers while Garbisi punished the hosts with a couple of penalties.
North was determined not to go quietly. His elusive run in midfield was followed by a pinpoint kick from hand that forced Italy back. But their set-piece held firm. Wales gave up a penalty at an attacking scrum before Garbisi belted the ball into touch a few seconds later to bring a dismal half for Wales to a close. Granted, there were considerably fewer points to make up than there had been here in round one, when they trailed Scotland 27-0.
Quesada introduced Martin Page-Relo off the bench along with Vintcent, whose stunning tackle stopped Gareth Thomas close to the tryline, but a long TMO check confirmed that the prop Elliot Dee had snuck over for a try. Finally Wales were on the board and still had a quarter of an hour to erode an 11-point deficit after Costelow’s conversion.
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