Italy consign Wales to first Wooden Spoon in 21 years
Written by I Dig SportsItaly beat Wales in Cardiff to achieve their most successful Six Nations and consign their hosts to a first Wooden Spoon in 21 years.
A try from wing Monty Ioane and two Paulo Garbisi penalties gave Italy an 11-0 half-time lead.
Full-back Lorenzo Pani added a brilliant score with Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo kicking penalties.
Wales responded with tries from Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands and Mason Grady to give the score some respectability.
The three-point margin of defeat flattered Wales with Italy's win ensuring a repeat of the 2022 victory in Cardiff.
It was a sad end to centre George North's Wales career as he was was helped from the field in the closing stages in his final Test after announcing his international retirement.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Wales: Winnett; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Costelow, Tomos Williams; G Thomas, Dee, Lewis, Jenkins (capt), Beard, Mann, Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: E Lloyd, Mathias, O'Connor, Rowlands, Martin, Hardy, I Lloyd, Grady.
Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Vintcent, Zuliani, Page-Relo, Marin.
Match officials
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Touch judges: Chris Busby (Ireland) & Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)