CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales tasted Six Nations success for the first time in 1,099 days after blowing away Italy 31-17 in Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The growing confidence from recent narrow losses against Scotland and Ireland spilled over into an unexpected and dominant bonus-point win, Wales’ first in the championship since March 2023 when it beat Italy in Rome.
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Wales was physical, direct and ruthless, leading 21-0 by halftime then 31-0 before Italy scored.
The Welsh scramble defense was also impressive as Italy had two tries ruled out, one held up, and another saved by an ankle tap.
While Wales ended the nightmare of a national record 15-match losing streak in the Six Nations, it was expected to finish with a third consecutive wooden spoon depending on fifth-placed England’s result against France in the late match in Paris.
Italy was seeking a third successive win in Cardiff and an historic third win in a single championship after beating Scotland and England, but it was beaten up at the breakdown, lost its composure, and missed 30 tackles.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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