Italy hand sorry Wales another dismal defeat in Six Nations
Today at 11:27 AM
MATCH REPORT: Italy handed Wales a record-extending 14th consecutive Test defeat on Saturday after triumphing 22-15 in the Six Nations in front of delighted fans in Rome.
Ange Capuozzo scored the hosts' only try at a soaking Stadio Olimpico with Tommaso Allan's kicking also condemning Wales to a defeat which could be key to deciding the wooden spoon.
Wales have lost all eight of their Six Nations fixtures since winning in the Italian capital two years ago and slump to 12th in the World Rugby rankings, below Georgia.
It is the lowest Wales has ever been in those standings and Warren Gatland's team will be wondering where the next win is going to come with two-time champion Ireland up next in Cardiff later this month.
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A single point from their opening two matches, thanks to a bundled score from Aaron Wainwright and a late penalty try, will do little to inspire any confidence, while the Italians will be dreaming of another positive campaign under Gonzalo Quesada.
Italy showed very little of the handling errors and poor decisions that have traditionally plagued even their positive performances, handily holding off Wales once Allan's boot put them far enough in front.
Italy next hosts a daunting clash with France who take on England at Twickenham in the day's late match.
Scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: Wainwright, Penalty
Pens: Thomas
For Italy:
Tries: Capuozzo
Cons: Allan
Pens: Allan (5
Teams
Italy: 15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Ange Capuozzo, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Luca Rizzoli, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Ross Vintcent, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Jacopo Trulla.
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Eddie James, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 James Botham, 5 Freddie Thoms, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Josh HathawayExpected weather: There will be light rain showers and light winds with a temperature around 13°C at kick-off.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
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