Italy v Wales LIVE: Six Nations result and reaction as Wales continue losing streak with harrowing defeat

Italy 22-15 Wales: Warren Gatland’s visitors fell to a 14th straight defeat as the Azzurri were too strong in Rome

Warren Gatland: Wales cannot hide away from importance of Six Nations showdown with Italy

Warren Gatland's position as Wales head coach was left hanging by a thread after his team lost 22-15 against Italy at Stadio Olimpico and lurched towards a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon.

Wales' 14th successive Test match defeat could be the final straw for Gatland's Welsh Rugby Union bosses. They have promised a detailed review of Wales' Six Nations performances after the tournament and matters are hardly likely to improve given that remaining fixtures are against Ireland, Scotland and England.

It was Gatland's 20th loss in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint at the helm, an eighth Six Nations reversal in a row and the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats against Italy.

They also slumped to a new world ranking low of 12th, with Georgia climbing above them following their Rugby Europe Championship victory over the Netherlands in Tbilisi.

Relive all the action from the Stadio Olimpico in our live blog below:

Italy vs Wales LIVE

• Italy beat Wales 22-15 in the second round of the Six Nations
• Visitors suffer a 14th consecutive defeat to leave Warren Gatland on the brink
• FULL-TIME! Italy 22-15 Wales
• 68' - TRY! Wainwright powers over to hit back for Wales (ITA 19-8 WAL)
• 20' - TRY! Capuozzo acrobatically finishes in the corner (ITA 10-3 WAL)

[6 February 2025 20:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team news - Wales

Wales are able to recall Taulupe Faletau after injury, with the number eight brought back into the starting side as Aaron Wainwright drops to the bench after suffering a nasty gash to the face in France. Owen Watkin suffered a more serious problem in that game, so Eddie James steps in to the midfield alongside Nick Tompkins.

There is late bad news, though. Both Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins are RULED OUT - in to the starting side step Blair Murray and Freddie Thomas.

Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 3 Henry Thomas; 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Freddie Thomas; 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 8 Taulupe Faletau; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Ben Thomas; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Eddie James, 13 Nick Tompkins, 14 Tom Rogers; 15 Blair Murray.

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright; 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Josh Hathaway.