Wales have opened their Six Nations Grand Slam defence with a 42-0 win over Italy at the Principality Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts powered through the first 40 minutes but were pinned back by Italy in the second 40, although the away team could make nothing of their possession as Wales eased to victory with some late tries. Their five-pointers came through Nick Tompkins, George North and a hat-trick from Josh Adams.
Wales showed their intent early on as they came bursting out of the blocks and tried to run the ball from all over the pitch.
That tactic worked well during the opening quarter of an hour and at the breakdown Italy appeared unable to cope, coughing up several penalties. Those penalties proved costly as by 16 minutes it was 9-0 to the home side as Dan Biggar punished them three times on the bounce from the tee.
On 18 minutes Wales had the opening try of the game as they sent the ball flying through the hands from right to left off a line-out and winger Adams finished off the move by racing over in the left-corner. Biggar sent the ball narrowly right of the posts to leave it at 14-0.
Just before the half-hour mark and Adams was in for his and Wales’ second try of the afternoon, going through the phases in the Italian 22, before Biggar sent a lovely pass through his legs and out to Adams on the wing who dived over. Biggar made no mistake with the conversion this time around as they stretched the lead to 21-0.
Wales dominated in the final minutes of the half, but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard as it remained 21-0 come the whistle.
It was the away side that dominated the first 20 minutes of the second period, but each time they got forward they slipped up with little errors.
They were made to pay on 59 minutes as some loose ball was picked up by Wales and debutant Tompkins finished off the phase with a lovely break in the opposition half and darted over for his first international try under the posts. Biggar slotted over the conversion to make it 28-0.
It took until the 77th minute for Wales to secure the bonus-point but managed to do so through North who barrelled over from close range with the help of his captain. Leigh Halfpenny knocked over the conversion to make it 35-0.
However, as the clock ticked into the red-zone Wales struck again as Italy refused to give up hope of scoring and lost the ball trying to run from their own try-line and the ball ended up with Adams who finished off his hat-trick. Halfpenny knocked over the kick to leave the final score at 42-0.
Up next for Wales is a trip to Ireland next Saturday, while Italy face another tough journey as they play France away from home.
Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Leigh Halfpenny (8), Johnny McNicholl (6), George North (7), Hadleigh Parkes (7), Josh Adams (9), Dan Biggar (8), Tomos Williams (8); Wyn Jones (6), Ken Owens (7), Dillon Lewis (6), Jake Ball (6), Alun Wyn Jones (7), Aaron Wainwright (7), Justin Tipuric (9), Taulupe Faletau (7)
Replacements (6)
