A 24 -21 win by Italy means Wales will be the not-so-proud winner of the Six Nations Wooden Spoon for the first time in 21 years. 

Italy dominated the first half with Wales failing to score a single point.  Paolo Garbisi put the first points on the board for Italy, succeeding with penalty goals in the 6th and 13th minute of the first half.  In the 20th minute winger Monty Ioana went over the try-line for Italy, bringing the score to 11 – 0, with Garbisi unable to convert the try.  Wales came close to scoring a try with two minutes to go in the first half, but centre Nick Tompkins knocked the ball on with the try-line in sight.

That meant Wales went into the changing room at half-time without a point on the board, the fourth half in the competition in which they scored zero points.

Italy started the second half with a vengeance with fly-half Lorenzo Pani scoring a brilliant try quickly in the second half and with Garbisi converting, Italy led 18 – 0 after 46 minutes.  Wales finally scored their first try in the 63rd minute courtesy of Elliot Dee.  Sam Costelow made no mistake with the boot.  Two more penalties converted by Italy, brought the score up to 24 – 7. 

With nothing to lose, Wales went all in and scored two tries in the last few minutes of the game, thanks to Will Rowlands and Mason Grady.  Costelow could do no wrong in conversion to bring the final score to 24-21.  A valiant fight-back by Wales but the Wooden Spoon will get a new home in 2024 and Italy will be happy to be rid of it.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger