Italy 17 – 29 Wales

Tries by Rio Dyer, Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau, plus a penalty try, saw Wales secure first Six Nations win of 2023 vs Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome; Sebastian Negri, Ignacio Brex scored tries in defeat for the hosts, who lost Lorenzo Cannone and Pierre Bruno to sin-binnings

Wales secured their first victory of the 2023 Six Nations, with a comfortable win in Rome

Wales proved too strong for a poor Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, clinching a morale-boosting 29-17 Six Nations victory – their first in the 2023 championship.

Warren Gatland’s charges scored tries through wing Rio Dyer, full-back Liam Williams, No 8 Taulupe Faletau, and a penalty try, with fly-half Owen Williams adding seven points with the boot.

Italy hit back through Sebastian Negri and Ignacio Brex tries, but having lost No 8 Lorenzo Cannone to a first half sin-binning due to a maul collapse, they lost wing Pierre Bruno to a high handoff in the second.

Kieran Crowley’s men were too profligate when attacking – badly missing the spark of the injured Ange Capuozzo – and made far too many errors on the day. As a consequence, it leaves them on the cusp of an eighth Six Nations Wooden Spoon in succession.

Wales were first to settle and hit the front in the sixth minute when fly-half Williams – retained over Dan Biggar for this Test – struck through a simple penalty after the Azzurri defence had been caught offside.

Owen Williams kicked the opening points of the Test off the tee for Wales

That lead was increased in the ninth minute, when wing Dyer was alert to a cruel bounce as far as Italy were concerned – scrum-half Rhys Webb – in his first Six Nations start for some six years – produced a chip kick into the corner which bounced wickedly away from Italy wing Bruno and into the arms of the chasing Dyer.

Rio Dyer scored the first try for Wales after a Rhys Webb kick took a wicked bounce

Williams converted for a 10-0 advantage, and though a dominant scrum penalty saw Italy get on the board via a Tommaso Allan penalty, Wales were soon over for their second try as full-back Williams sauntered through poor tackling to score after a costly Allan knock-on.

Italy really should really have hit back with their opening try shortly after, but Allan’s linebreak into the 22 was not matched with a decent pass, as it forced Stephen Varney to check back before Williams won a breakdown penalty for the visitors.

Liam Williams stepped through poor tackling to score Wales’ second try

If that was a good chance, the next Azzurri attack produced a gilt-edged opening, as wonderful play and offloading from deep – started by Paolo Garbisi – saw Brex knock-on as he attempted to ground almost on top of the try-line, with Owen Williams making a vital tackle to cause the spillage.

The Welsh No 10 missed his next attempt at the posts, striking wide, but Wales had a third try with five minutes of the opening half to play as a rolling maul was collapsed by Italy back-row Cannone, leading to a clear penalty try decision.

Wales skipper Ken Owens was at the back of a collapsed rolling maul – which brought a penalty try

A flurry of Italian pressure in the Wales 22 saw out the final few minutes of the half, but though the hosts came close, and had one final play still to execute, a Bruno tackle in the air on Liam Williams on advantage saw the decision overturned, and left Wales to kick out to end the half.

Italy started the second half in superb fashion, however, as back-row Negri gathered a clever Allan chip over the Wales defence to dive over and score.

The positive work from Italy was soon undone, however, as Bruno received his yellow card for catching Wyn Jones in the neck with a forearm while carrying – and was almost given a red card by referee Damon Murphy, before an intervention from touch judge Karl Dickson.

Wales took advantage once more, as a superb Webb break was finished by Faletau for the bonus-point score in the 54th minute.

Taulupe Faletau secured Wales the bonus point, scoring their fourth try

The Test rather lulled to a conclusion thereafter, as Italian frustration built and Wales needed not to push on, with Brex getting over for Italy’s second in the only other score.

What’s next?

Italy conclude their 2023 Six Nations campaign with an away clash as they face Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh next Saturday March 18 (12.30pm kick-off GMT).

Wales conclude their hugely disappointing Six Nations with a trip to Paris to face France at the Stade de France next Saturday March 18 (2.45pm kick-off GMT).