Wales get first Six Nation win after defeating dogged Italy

Wales recorded a first win of their Guinness Six Nations campaign after beating Italy 29-17 at Stadio Olimpico.

Warren Gatland's team arrived in Rome with the wooden spoon a realistic prospect following successive defeats against Ireland, Scotland and England.

But Italy, who wasted a host of chances, now look destined to finish bottom of the Six Nations table for an 18th time as Wales climbed off the basement.

Early tries by wing Rio Dyer and full-back Liam Williams rewarded a dominant early display, then a penalty try underpinned an impressive first-half performance that saw Wales build a 19-point advantage.

Number eight Taulupe Faletau's 50th-minute touchdown secured a bonus-point, while fly-half Owen Williams kicked a penalty and two conversions, although it was his half-back partner Rhys Webb who excelled as Wales' premier performer on a first start since October 2020.

Flanker Sebastian Negri and centre Juan Ignacio Brex touched down for the home side, with Tommy Allan slotting a penalty two conversions, but Italy's poor discipline saw two players sin-binned and Wales took the spoils despite the Azzurri dominating late on.

Wales head to Paris next for an appointment with France and, while that assignment is a daunting one, they can at least travel with a degree of confidence after claiming a first win since Gatland returned for his second stint as head coach.

Gatland made six changes to the side beaten by England last time out, with scrum-half Webb handed a first Test start since October 2020, while there were also call-ups for Liam Williams, Dyer, Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan.

Italy were without injured playmaker Ange Capuozzo, so Harlequins fly-half Allan featured at full-back in a solitary switch following the