Wales suffer record Italy loss to finish bottom

Women’s Six Nations

Italy (10) 44

Cons: Silari 4 Pens: Silari 2 – Stefan, Granzotto 2, Turani, Minuzzi, Muzzo

Wales (12) 12

Italy won the Wooden Spoon for the second consecutive year and the record-loss to the Azzurre to wrap up their Six Nations campaign in style.

After Sofia Stefan’s effort was saved by Kate Williams and Gwenllian Pyrs, Wales had a half-time lead in Parma.

However, the Italians escaped in a second-half blitz, with Michela Sillari scoring 14 points from the boot while Francesca Granzotto, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Minuzzi, and Aura Muzzo all scoring from the spot.

Italy finished fourth in the table for the first time in two years, while Wales came in fourth, finishing at rock bottom, losing all five games for the first time in their history.

Sean Lynn, the head coach of Wales, had mentioned how crucial it was to give the game an 80-minute run before the game, which had been postponed a day due to Pope Francis’ funeral.

Wales did enjoy the majority of their initial possession and territory, but as they progressed through the phases, they struggled to establish collision dominance.

The Welsh maul, which had failed to convert to a weapon after failing to do so against Ireland, returned to being a weapon, driving Williams over for her third try of the campaign, thanks to Italian indiscipline.

With a cross-field kick that beat Alyssa D’Inca on her wing, Italy responded in style by fly-half Veronica Madia showing her creative side.

When Sara Seye and Elisa Giordano burst through some poor tackling with some loose kicking from Lleucu George, returning scrum-half Stefan finished under the posts, the hosts were not to be denied.

In order to give Italy the lead, Sillari added the conversion and a subsequent penalty in the event of a tie.

A fumble under the high ball from Minuzzi provided a good attacking platform for Wales, but basic errors prevented the visitors from capitalizing.

But just before half-time, they had another chance. Once more, the attack was launched from line-out ball, and the forwards showed good patience as they continued to control until Pyrs pounced from a close range.

Wales went into the tunnel ahead for the first time this campaign by adding the conversion, which was completed by Bevan, who added the conversion to give them a 12-to-10 half-time lead.

However, the optimism was sluggish as Italy made the bold move to kick-off against George.

Without a last-gasp tap tackle from Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, it almost paid off with a chip setting up Giordana Duca, who would have been through.

As Wales struggled to live up to their offloading game, Italy kept coming in attack wave after wave, and Silari took advantage of the moment to put Italy back in front.

Alex Callender, Hannah Bluck, and Carys Phillips all joined the field, and Lynn made some early changes.

However, they were unable to make an impact because Italy kept putting on pressure and was successful in getting the ball to Granzotto, who did well to ride the defensive tackle and corner the ball.

Wales desperately needed a foothold, but they could not tolerate the dazzling Azzurre attack.

Italy chose to go for the jugular and use a tap penalty in front of posts, and while the defense succeeded in igniting Sara Tounesi’s charge, they were unable to stop Turani from stretching over the line.

The full-back Minuzzi, who scored the winning 50-22, sent Italy upfield, for the fourth try. The defense was then cut through by Minuzzi’s fine line as the forwards carried on.

We are aware that we can be better, but we must also learn quickly and improve.

“We can’t ever be in this position.”

Replacements: Francesca Granzotto, Emanuela Stecca, Gaia Maris, Isabella Locatelli, Alissa Ranuccini, Alia Bitonci, Beatrice Rigoni, and Desiree Spinelli.

Wales’s Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Donna Rose, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, and Georgia Evans.

Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble, Natalia John, Alex Callender, Sian Jones, Hannah Bluck, and Catherine Richards are the replacements.