Wales outclass Italy to end long Six Nations losing streak

CARDIFF, March 14 : Wales overwhelmed Italy 31-17 to end a run of 15 successive Six Nations defeats in their last game of this year’s tournament on Saturday, outscoring the visitors four tries to three.

A delirious 70,000-strong home crowd at the Principality Stadium watched Wales bring an emphatic end to their losing run, 1,099 days after their last Six Nations success against Italy three years ago.

Wales remained bottom of the standings, although they picked up a bonus point and there is a chance they might avoid the wooden spoon if England lose heavily to France in the last game of the tournament in Paris later on Saturday.

Aaron Wainwright scored Wales’ opening two tries in the first half, and skipper Dewi Lake added another for a 21-0 halftime lead.

Dan Edwards, who kicked over four conversions, scored a fourth try soon after the break and added a drop goal to put Wales 31-0 up in the 48th minute.

Italy, coming into the match on the back of a first-ever victory over England, got their first points with a mauling try from substitute hooker Tommaso di Bartolomeo in the 53rd minute and scored a second through Tommaso Allan as they attempted a late recovery.

The third try was the final action of the match with Paolo Garbisi scoring but came far too late to spoil the home party.

Wales opened the scoring after 14 minutes when they won a line out and Wainwright burst through several tackles to carry the ball over.

ITALY FIGHT BACK WITH THREE TRIES

He finished off a line-out drive for the second 11 minutes later and Lake also scored from a line-out maul.

The Wales forwards drove to within 10 metres of the Italian line to set up their fourth try three minutes into the second half and Edwards raced over.

Italy’s first try came when they