Italy 16 - 24 Wales

Saturday 26 February 2011

Wales manage a win in Rome in a World Cup year for the first time, although it was not without a fight.

First half tries from Stoddart and Warburton helped Wales along their way and as they went into half-time Wales had a comfortable lead.

Italy however came out in the second half to fight and a try by Parisse put them within five points of their opponents, lost opportunities in both conversions and penalties prevented Italy from going into the lead.

Wales were not clinical enough an let some opportunities slip through their fingers. If they are able to tighten up their game they will begin to win more games.

Stephen Jones who won his 98th cap today, moving alongside Martyn Williams in second place on Wales' all-time appearance, kicked consistently to keep the Welsh score board kicking over.

It was a drop-goal by Hook that provided Wales with some breathing space in the last five minutes of the game as he extended their lead to more than a converted try.

Wales still have to face Ireland, at home, and France, away, in the Six Nations and on their current form they will have to work hard to produce wins.

First Half

Early and easy three points of the board from Wales who are given a penalty in the second minute, Stephen Jones slots the ball over nicely. Italy 0- 3 Wales.

A poor pass from Bradley Davies allows the ball to ground, Gonzalo Canale hacks through and scores the first try of the game in the fourth minute by Gonzalo Canale. Davies did his best to make amends, tugging Canale back, but Canale simply had too much pace. Mirco Bergamasco fails to add the extras Italy 5-3 Wales.

Try on the line for Wales in the ninth minute, Morgan Stoddart, S.Jones misses the extras Italy 5-8 Wales. Shortly after Wales allow Italy to equalise after giving away a penalty for not releasing the ball Bergamasco. Italy 8-8 Wales.

Birthday boy Shane Williams, passes to Lee Byrne who offloads the ball the James Hook before Sam Warburton, who recently extended his contract with Cardiff Blues, touches the ball down just beneath the posts. A simple kick for S.Jones as he adds the extras. Italy 8-15 Wales.

The first scrum of the game results in a number eight pick-up by Ryan Jones but it's a penalty to Italy as Bradley Davies gets isolated when Warburton goes in on the wrong side. Bergamasco closes the gap to just four points Italy 11-15 Wales.

Wales straight away make a come back, charging into Italy's 22 but after giving away a penalty and kick the ball clear.

Italy get a line-out close to the Wales try line but fail to make good of their opportunity as the ball is kicked down the field.

The ball goes from one corner to the other, as Wales chase the ball toward Italy's try line, Wales have a line out just short of the try line. Red shirts drive the ball towards the line but Wales are denied a try as Byrne receives a forward pass from Williams.

Italy lose a line out and Mike Phillips finds a gap. Wales given a penalty, which Jones swiftly slots over stretching their lead to a converted try. Italy 11-18 Wales.

Another Welsh penalty as the clock ticks into half-time, kicked by Jones adding who adds points. Italy 11-21 Wales.

Second Half

Another early second half chance of closing the gap is lost by Bergamasco as Italy were handed a penalty.

Italy get a try as captain Sergio Parisse manages to touch down the ball. A wide left kicked proved beyond Bergamasco who fails to add the extras Italy 16-21 Wales.

Italy have dominated the second half and with 15 minutes to go are still in with a shout of beating Wales. The two previous times the Italians have beaten Wales in Rome have been in World Cup years (2003, 2007).

Another penalty for Italy, this time taken by Luciano Orquera, but it was not to be, as the ball goes wide.

Wales push towards the Italy try line who are defending it well. James Hook goes for a drop-goal which he slices over nicely to take Wales beyond a converted try and give them a bit of a safety net with seven minutes left on the clock Italy 16-24 Wales.

Canale streams free and releases Bergamasco chase towards the Welsh try line but the ball is lost forward as the game winds down.

Full Time

Man of the Match: Sam Warburton

Italy (11) 16

Tries: Canale, Parisse

Conversions:

Penalties: Bergamasco (2)

Wales (21) 24

Tries: Stoddart, Warburton

Conversions: Jones

Penalties: Jones (2)

Drop-goal: Hook

Italy: L.McLean, A.Masi, G.Canale, A.Sgarbi, M.Bergamasco, K.Burton, F.Semenzato, S.Perugini, L.Ghiraldini, M.Castrogiovanni, S.Dellape, Q.Geldenhuys, A.Zanni, R.Barbieri, S.Parisse.

Replacements: Festuccia, Lo Cicero (on), Bernabo, Vosawai, Canavosio, Orquera, Benvenuti

Wales: L.Byrne, M.Stoddart, J.Hook, J.Roberts, S.Williams, S.Jones,M.Phillips; P.James, M.Rees (C), C.Mitchell, B.Davies, A.Wyn Jones,D.Lydiate, S.Warburton, R,Jones.

Replacements: Hibbard, Yapp, Thomas, Turnbull, Knoyle, Priestland, Halfpenny.

Referee: Wayne Barnes