Wales fall to Italy

Italy 23 Wales 20

Italy condemned Wales to a dramatic late defeat as they created RBS 6 Nations history at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.

Mauro Bergamasco’s try five minutes from time earned the Azzurri their second victory of the campaign – the first time Italy have managed the feat since joining the championship in 2000 but the match ended in controversial fashion.

Wales had a chance to equalise with an injury-time penalty but kicked for touch, believing there was enough time to take the lineout and push for the win.

Referee Chris White blew for full-time, sparking wild celebrations among the Italians but furious complaints from the Wales players.

Italy led 13-7 at the interval courtesy of six points from fly-half Ramiro Pez and a solo try from Kaine Robertson after Wales winger Shane Williams had scooted over.

Wales surged ahead after the interval with 13 unanswered points, including a try from Matthew Rees, and appeared to be on course for their first win of the campaign.

But Italy summoned up a second wind and Bergamasco latched onto Pez’s chip to touch down for the match-clinching try.

Gareth Jenkins’ men have now lost all four matches this campaign and face the grim prospect of taking a second wooden spoon in four seasons.

The Italians, meanwhile, have never known it so good.

Usually a fringe sport in Italy, rugby hit the headlines after the Azzurri secured their first away victory, against Scotland at Murrayfield a fortnight ago.

Star players like the Bergamasco brothers, Mirco and Mauro, and captain Marco Bortolami appearing in adverts and on chat shows. This victory earned each player a 20,000 euro bonus.

The Italians gave Wales an almighty scare inside three minutes as their first attack almost brought a try for winger Matteo Pratchinetti only for referee White to call play back for a forward pass.

Wales struggled to shake the attentions of Italy’s high-pressure blitz defence and barely escaped their own half in the opening 10 minutes.

After Pez had booted Italy into the lead with a penalty, Wales responded with a darting break from Morgan but his grubber kick was just too strong for Shane Williams and Mauro Bergamasco cleared up.

Wales then worked a two-man overlap but Shane Williams could not release either Kevin Morgan or Mark Jones before being swallowed up by Italy full-back Roland de Marigney.

Pez extended the Azzurri’s advantage with his second penalty but Italy lost Gonzalo Canale, a powerful force in their midfield, to a leg injury after he had crashed into Tom Shanklin’s tackle.

Wales had very little room to work with and seemed to lack both the confidence and organisation required to get outside the Italians.

But a moment of clarity from James Hook, with a deft chip over the top, finally picked the lock.

Shanklin gathered the ball and drew two defenders before slipping an offload to Shane Williams who scooted over under the posts.

But the Welsh insecurities remained and Stephen Jones blew a golden opportunity with a laboured pass to Morgan when a flat, quick ball would have exploited a huge overlap.

Jones then took a swinging arm to the face from Mauro Bergamasco and disappeared to the blood bin, to be replaced for the remainder of the half by Gareth Thomas.

While he was off Wales blew two more opportunities as their basic finishing skills were found wanting.

Shane Williams sparked a counter-attack but a poor inside ball from Morgan went to ground and when Hook carved through the Italian defence he failed to spot Morgan on the outside.

Italy recovered and stung Wales on the break as Robertson raced downfield, outpacing lock Ian Gough, to regather his own punt forward and touch down under the posts.

Wales must have taken the mother of all rollockings at half-time and they started the second period like a steam train, scoring 13 unanswered points inside 12 minutes.

Stephen Jones returned to the fray but Hook took over the kicking duties, booting his first penalty.

Wales returned to Italian territory and from their own lineout hooker Matthew Rees charged over under the posts.

Hook then landed a second penalty after Maurizio Zaffiro – Canale’s replacement - was spotted using hands in the ruck, extending Wales’ advantage to a converted try.

Italy, though, had history to play for – they had never won two matches in a Six Nations campaign.

De Marigney bulldozed for the line and Alessandro Troncon took it on again as they hammered forward in search of a try.

Italy won a five-metre scrum but the Welsh defence held firm, halting Mauro Bergamasco and hooker Carlo Festuccia.

Pez reduced the arrears with a simple three points and Italy snatched back possession immediately and earned another penalty.

This time Pez aimed for touch. Italy drove their lineout to within touching distance of the Welsh line. Wales withstood wave after wave of attacks before Pez dabbed a neat chip over the top and Mauro Bergamasco won the race to score.

As the clock ticked into injury time, Hook kicked the Welsh penalty opportunity for touch in search of a victory only for White to blow full-time.