For the Welsh, this was the scenario to avoid. A defeat against Italy at home which, without accounting influence – the Leek XV is already assured of finishing last – would be synonymous with a wooden spoon. This Saturday, there was disappointment for Wales. In front of their Cardiff crowd, Warren Gatland’s men suffered a fifth defeat in as many matches in the Six Nations Tournament (24-21). Following the defeats against Ireland (31-7) and France (45-24), the red lantern did not often exist, apart from a surge at the end of the match which did not really reflect the nature of the match. A sad end for center George North, who played the last of his 120 matches for the national team.
Waking up too late
From the start of the match, Fischetti put up a good contest in front of the Welsh 22 meters. Paolo Garbisi converted the first penalty of the match (3-0, 6th) then did it again a few minutes later after Lamaro’s scratch (6-0, 14th). The intensity of the Italian phases increased crescendo and posed more and more problems for the Welsh. Winger Monty Loane logically concluded a transalpine action marked by several passes after contact (11-0, 20th). Garbisi, successful at the foot a few minutes earlier, missed his transformation.
Returning from the locker room, Italy continued to display an ambitious game plan by multiplying the phases of play at hand. At the end of an incredible action, full-back Lorenzo Pani succeeded in his framing-overflow on his two opposite sides on the wing before flattening and celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo style.
This time, Garbisi converted his kick 25 meters from the posts (18-0, 46th). The try by Welsh hooker Elliot Dee, transformed by fly-half Sam Costelow (18-7, 64th) looked like a last stand. While the noose could have tightened at the end of the match, two new penalties from Garbisi and Page-Relo (71st, 74th) closed the debates. The attempts by Rowlands and Grady, transformed by Costelow (79th, 80th + 2) change nothing. The Welsh are dead last in the Tournament.
