Wales ended their Six Nations 2024 campaign with the Wooden Spoon and five defeats from five as Warren Gatland’s side lost 24-21 to Italy at the Principality Stadium.
Monty Ioane’s opening try provided the ideal start for an Italy team who shocked Scotland a week earlier.
Lorenzo Pani scored the visitors’ second try shortly after the break, with Paolo Garbisi kicking a conversion and three penalties, while Martin Page-Relo gave them breathing space before a late Wales rally.
The result represented a miserable farewell for George North, who hobbled off injured with full-time looming, in the final match of the centre’s Test career.
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Elliot Dee gave Wales hope with a 65th-minute try which was confirmed following a lengthy review, Sam Costelow converting.
But Garbisi scored two more penalties to leave the home fans disgruntled and Wales condemned to finishing a forgettable campaign pointless.
Italy 🤝 Winning in Wales
Back-to-back wins in Cardiff for the Italians 💥
For the first time ever, they finish a Six Nations campaign with just two losses! #GUINNESSSIXNATIONS PIC.TWITTER.COM/MZZ2QNTDMN
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) MARCH 16, 2024
After Page-Relo put the Azzurri out of sight with a 74th-minute penalty, Will Rowlands went over a minute from time and Ioan Lloyd converted.
There was time for more consolation in the final play as replacement Mason Grady scored and Lloyd added points again.
Wales vs Italy: Azzurri win again
Italy have now won successive visits to Wales, having prevailed 22-21 at the Millennium Stadium in the Six Nations almost exactly two years ago.
The underdogs were worthy winners, proving superior in every aspect of their play before breaking out champagne to celebrate once the full-time whistle had sounded.
Wales’ inexperienced squad became their first to finish bottom of the Six Nations in 21 years, securing only four points along the way.
Ireland host Scotland (16:45 GMT) and England visit France (20:00 GMT) on a day which has been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ because any of the teams involved could become this year’s champions.
