Wales 21-24 Italy - Warren Gatland’s side finish bottom of Six Nations table after Azzurri claim deserved win

A dominant performance from Italy ensured Wales suffered their first Six Nations wooden spoon since 2003 with Gonzalo Quesada's side earning a 24-21 victory at the Principality Stadium.

Tries either side of half-time by Monty Ioane and Lorenzo Pani, as well as three converted penalties by Paolo Garbisi and one by Martin Page-Relo ensured Italy avoided finishing at the bottom of the standings for the first time since 2015.

The scoreline somewhat flattered the hosts as Italy were imperious in defence and quick on the flanks, exuding dominance by regularly succeeding in the scrum and set-piece throughout the 80 minutes.

Wales struggled to build momentum until the dying embers of the match, when Will Rowlands and Mason Grady scored late tries to narrow the gulf in scoreline.

George North was forced off with an injury moments before the full-time whistle to a huge ovation from the Principality Stadium, after he announced his retirement from international rugby earlier this week.

The Six Nations final day continues with Ireland facing Scotland before England play France.

The final day of the 2024 Six Nations was indicative of Wales' recent decline.

When Italy stunned the Principality Stadium with a 22-21 victory in last year's championship, the celebrations were wild. It felt like a huge achievement for The Azzurri. Wales were stunned. But this year's victory felt a whole lot more routine.

Warren Gatland's side sit glumly at the foot of the standings, seven points adrift of any other team. They have not been helped by the retirements of key players, most recently North as he played his last game for his country, but performances have been poor, none more so than the first half of this affair against Italy.

Gatland's rebuild after his appointment last year has yet to bear fruit, but the same cannot be said for Quesada's Italy, who have been excellent in this year's tournament.

Their improvements were epitomised by a very solid display, largely keeping Wales quiet until the very dying minutes of the match. There will be hope from The Azzurri that the wooden spoon is an accolade which stays well in the past.

Brex personified all that was good about Italy's professional display at the Principality.

The centre produced a solid display to keep a strong hold on the game and was key in restricting the home side's territory.

Honourable mentions should go to all in the Italian front-row, who helped to set the tone for a restrictive and pragmatic approach to the first half.

Wales XV: Thomas 5, Dee 6, Lewis 5, Jenkins 5, Beard 5, Mann 4, Reffell 5, Wainwright 5, Williams 4, Costelow 3, Dyer 5, Tompkins 4, North 5, Adams 5, Winnett 4. Replacements: Grady 6, Rowlands 6, Martin 5, Hardy 5, I.Lloyd 5, E.Lloyd 5, Mathias 5, O'Connor 5.

Italy XV: Pani 7, Lynagh 6, Brex 8*, Menoncello 6, Ioane 7, Garbisi 7, Varney 6, L.Cannone 6, Lamaro 7, Negri 6, Ruzza 6, N.Cannone 6, Ferrari 6, Nicotera 6, Fischetti 6. Replacements: Lucchesi 6, Vintcent 7, Page-Relo 7, Zilocchi 6, Spagnolo 6, Zuliani 6, Favretto 5, Marin 5.

6' PENALTY CONVERTED! WALES 0-3 ITALY (GARBISI) A quick-tempo start from both sides but Italy break down the right and an infringement on the floor gives Italy the chance to open the scoring. Paolo Garbisi converts.

20' TRY! WALES 0-11 ITALY (IOANE) A fantastic move and Italy are firmly in the driving seat. Ioane finds the perfect angle and when the ball is spread out to him, his darting run inside sees him with clear passage to run over for the first try of the match. Italy bossing the affair thus far. Garbisi makes a hash of the conversion and the score remains 0-11.

46' TRY! WALES 0-18 ITALY (PANI) A stunning try! Italy work it from left to right and Lorenzo Pani tanks down the right flank before faking his run outside to cut back in and run over unchallenged. A truly fantastic effort. No mistake from Garbisi with the conversion this time as Italy extend their advantage further.

64' TRY! WALES 7-18 ITALY (DEE) After a lengthy TMO, Wales post their first points of the match as Dee is adjudged to have just about bundled over. Costelow makes no mistake with the conversion. Can Wales make a late rally?

71' PENALTY CONVERTED - WALES 7-21 ITALY (GARBISI) Garbisi pretty much puts the game to bed with a fantastic strike.

74' PENALTY CONVERTED - WALES 7-24 ITALY (PAGE-RELO) More points on the board for Italy as an equally impressive punt by Page-Relo goes between the posts.

79' TRY! WALES 14-24 ITALY (ROWLANDS) Italy hold Wales off for so long but the hosts eventually bundle the ball over the line with Rowlands applying the finishing touch. Lloyd converts.

80+1' TRY! WALES 21-24 ITALY (GRADY) A stunning late try from Grady as he races through onto a loose ball and kicks beyond the Italian's last line of defence to race through unopposed. The conversion is good and the game is over, Wales can't avoid the wooden spoon.

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