Wales v Italy LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as brilliant Azzurri stun struggling hosts
Wales 21-24 Italy: The Azzurri outclassed Wales to seal a best-ever Six Nations campaign of two wins and a draw
Wales slipped to a dismal end to a testing Six Nations campaign as a spirited and resurgent Italy impressed in Cardiff to win 24-21 in the first of three fascinating contests to round out the 2024 championship.
Warren Gatland’s side had the emotional factor of George North playing his final game for his country after announcing his shock retirement following 120 caps but an appalling first half saw them trail the Azzurri 11-0 at the break.
Lorenzo Pani added to their woe with a gorgeous solo score after the break and a couple of penalties put them out of sight before Will Rowlands and Mason Grady grabbed consolation tries at the death, although it couldn’t stop Wales slipping to a deserved wooden spoon.
The hosts had been hoping to snap a poor run in the Six Nations but have claimed just two wins from the last 16 games, while the Azzurri have fresh optimism of a great era after securing their best-ever Six Nations campaign with two wins and a draw.
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Wales have not finished last on the Six Nations log since 2003, when a 33-5 defeat against France in Paris meant they lost all five games under head coach Steve Hansen. The Wales team that day included players like Iestyn Harris, Gareth Thomas, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams as they suffered a heaviest reversal of the tournament. Wales have won the Six Nations title on six occasions since then, including four Grand Slams, which highlights this season’s demise, while Italy are striving to avoid a ninth successive wooden spoon after Scotland had that dubious distinction in 2015.
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Italy have collected the Wooden Spoon in each of the last eight editions of the Six Nations but head to Cardiff on Saturday well placed to snap that streak at the expense of round five opponents Wales (2.15pm, BBC1).
Wales have struggled to get their act together in this year’s championship and are the only team to fail to register a win, leaving them in pole position to finish bottom of the standings for only the second time in the Six Nations era.
The new-look side has shown flashes of ability and flair, but when it has come down to getting over the line, they have fallen short.
While tactics and discipline are always important, a squad’s mentality plays a massive part in international rugby. Wales held their own against France last week, but perhaps the belief was not there as they crumbled to a team hardly riding on the crest of a wave in the second half.
The Welsh will come into this match possibly doubting themselves but equally desperate to go out with a bang, and for whatever reason, rugby betting sites make them as short as 1/3 favourites to do so.
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George North’s shock retirement reminds Wales exactly how far they’ve fallen
The year was 2013 and Wales required something significant. Warren Gatland’s side had begun the championship chasing back-to-back Six Nations crowns; an opening home defeat to Ireland meant their hopes had already taken a hit. In round two, Wales travelled to Paris with their tournament at a pivot point – they had not won in France since 2005, and any hopes of mounting a title challenge would be over if that run continued.
Nine minutes to play, the scoreboard locked at six apiece. It had been tight, it had been tense; Frederic Michalak striking twice from the tee, Leigh Halfpenny providing his own accurate answers. It was time for a hero; George North stepped up.
Dan Biggar’s chip looked aimless, France numbered up on the outside with Francois Trinh-Duc sweeping across the backfield. But Biggar’s pitch checked nicely on the soft Stade de France surface – North had a glimmer.
George North’s shock retirement reminds Wales exactly how far they’ve fallen
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The Six Nations title is still on the line on Super Saturday after a shock weekend of results in the penultimate round.
England denied Ireland a bid at consecutive grand slams with their best performance of the Steve Borthwick era at Twickenham, while reviving their own hopes of winning the championship.
Ireland’s title defence remains in their own hands and they will retain their Six Nations crown if they avoid defeat to Scotland, and even then England must secure a bonus-point victory in France.
Wales and Italy will battle to avoid the wooden spoon, with Warren Gatland’s side still yet to secure a victory while Italy are fresh off the back of their memorable home win over Scotland.
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