Wales stun Italy to end Six Nations losing streak

Men’s Six Nations

Wales (21) 31

Tries: Wainwright 2, Lake, Edwards Cons: Edwards 4 Drop-goal: Edwards

Italy (0) 17

Wales finally ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak in spectacular style by celebrating a bonus-point win against Italy in Cardiff.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright crossed for two tries with a further score from captain Dewi Lake.

Impressive fly-half Dan Edwards finished with 16 points, including a try and a drop-goal, as Wales raced into a 31-0 lead.

The stunned Italians launched a second-half response with tries from replacements Tommaso di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan and fly-half Paolo Garbisi.

Wainwright took the player-of-the match accolade for his outstanding display, but he was pushed hard by Wales wing Ellis Mee.

The debate in the week had been whether Wales considered a performance or result more important this weekend. In the end, the home side delivered both.

The elation and relief in the faces of Tandy and his backroom staff and the ovation from the Cardiff crowd demonstrated what this day represented.

Wales had conceded 102 points in opening losses to England and France, but there had been significant progress in narrow defeats against Scotland and Ireland.

The victory was the next step and long overdue. Wales have ended a 15-match Six Nations losing streak that stretches back three years, or 1,099 days, since the previous victory against Italy in Rome in March 2023.

It is a first home success in the tournament in 1,491 days since Wales beat Scotland in February 2022 with 11 successive losses following that.

It was only a third win in 28 Tests for Wales since the 2023 World Cup and a second victory for Tandy in nine games, to go alongside the one-point win against Japan in November 2025.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada predicted Wales would be desperate to win and he was proved correct.

It was a step too far for the Italians after the historic victory against England in Rome last weekend.

The Azzurri have finished fourth in this year’s table after failing to achieve two unique trebles at the Principality Stadium.

Tandy was able to name an unchanged starting side for the first time and Wales benefited from the growing familiarity.

There has been much debate about whether Louis Rees-Zammit was suited to the full-back role and he was prominent in the frantic early exchanges.

Italy captain Michele Lamaro and Wales duo Joe Hawkins and Mee both forced crucial turnovers for their sides before Italy fly-half Garbisi missed an early penalty.

Italy were superior in the aerial battle in the opening quarter, but Wales were lifted by a rousing penalty, created by the chasing work of Rees-Zammit, Mee and flanker Alex Mann.

This provided the platform for a well-worked opening score from a line-out as Wales moved the ball into midfield with a rampaging break from Wainwright enabling him to score under the posts and reward his outstanding efforts in this championship.

Edwards converted and the fly-half’s touchline kicking was far more dynamic and daring than in Dublin the previous week.

A second searching kick produced the foundations for another effective line-out that was again finished by Wainwright with Edwards converting.

Wales were rampant with another Rees-Zammit chase creating havoc in the Italy defence.

It produced another driving line-out try with hooker Lake diving over for a score the captain deserved after his impressive individual campaign.

Wales initially continued the dominance early in the second half with a flowing patient move finished by Edwards’ searing pace.

He converted the try and produced a sumptuous drop-goal to demonstrate his growing confidence after he returned to the side for the injured Sam Costelow.

The hosts were not neglecting their defensive work, typified by a thunderous James Botham tackle.

Italy eventually responded with a try from replacement hooker Di Bartolomeo with Wales replacement prop Griffin shown a yellow card for a cynical offence.

Tempers rose following a robust tackle from Italy wing Louis Lynagh on Wales centre Eddie James.

The Wales back three were prominent with Josh Adams and Rees-Zammit dangerous with ball in hand, while Mee demonstrated a tireless work ethic in arguably his finest game for Wales.

Replacement back Allan crossed despite some fierce Wales resistance, before Italy wing Monty Ioane thought he had scored, but was deemed in touch following another brilliant Mee defensive effort tackle.

More dynamic defence from Hawkins and Botham denied Italy centre Leonardo Marin. That effort emphasised the Welsh character on show and impressive second-half defence that captivated the Cardiff crowd.

Italy might have had the final word as the visitors created the chance for Garbisi to dot down in the corner but it was a day in which Wales dominated the script.

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.

Sin-bin: Griffin 52

Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Hasa, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Odiase, Varney, Marin, Allan.

Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)

Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Television match official (TMO): Mike Adamson (SRU)