Summary

  • Wales secure a first win of the 2023 Six Nations away against Italy

  • Wales start quickly and score an early tries through Rio Dyer and Liam Williams

  • Lorenzo Cannone sin-binned for collapsing a Welsh driving maul which also results in a penalty try

  • Sebastien Negri scores Italy's first try early in the second half to reduce Wales' lead to 12 points

  • Pierre Bruno shown a yellow card for a forearm into the neck of Wyn Jones

  • Wales capitalise on the man advantage as Rhys Webb breaks and feeds Taulupe Faletau to secure bonus point

  • Juan Ignacio Brex brings Italy back to within two scores with 12 minutes left in Rome

  1. Postpublished at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Gareth Delve
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales Extra

    You couldn't get a better setting or a better opportunity for Warren Gatland and the lads to really stamp their mark finally on the 6 Nations.

  2. Postpublished at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Jamie Roberts
    Former Wales international on ITV

    This is a huge game for Wales, especially with what is coming up later this year [Rugby World Cup].

    Wales now only have five games for Warren Gatland to find his best side.

  3. 'You can't coach experience'published at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Warren Gatland may have made six changes for today's game, but he has kept faith with his young centre partnership in Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady.

  4. Team news - Rhys Webb back for Walespublished at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Rhys WebbImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Rhys Webb starts with his Ospreys half-back partner Owen Williams

    Warren Gatland continues to chop and change after defeat by England, with Rhys Webb making the headlines this time around.

    The 34-year-old scrum-half makes his first Six Nations start since 2020.

    Rio Dyer is back on the wing and Liam Williams returns at full-back, with forwards Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan the others to come in.

    Tomos Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Gareth Thomas drop to the bench where George North is involved once more.

    Alun Wyn Jones, Christ Tshiunza, Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny miss out altogether.

    Wales: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Owen Williams, Rhys Webb; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

    Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Rhys Davies, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit.

  5. Team news - Italy star man Capuozzo outpublished at 13:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Ange CapuozzoImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Ange Capuozzo was named men's Breakthrough Player of the Year by World Rugby

    Italy have made one enforced change from their defeat against Ireland.

    Harlequins fly-half Tommaso Allan will play at full-back instead of Toulouse's Ange Capuozzo - who you'll remember played a starring role in Italy's victory in Cardiff.

    Capuozzo suffered a shoulder injury and will now miss the rest of the Six Nations.

    Back row forward Manuel Zuliani takes Allan's place among the replacements as coach Kieran Crowley reverts to a five-three split of forwards and backs.

    Italy: Tommaso Allan; Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Pierre Bruno; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capt), Lorenzo Cannone.

    Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Marco Riccione, Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Luca Morisi.

  6. Buongiorno!published at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2023

    Italy v Wales (14:15 GMT)

    Hello and welcome to Rome where we are looking at a potential wooden spoon decider between the two winless team in this year's Six Nations.

    Both Wales and Italy have lost their opening three fixtures.

    Wales have been woeful as they transition back to Warren Gatland, and are aiming to avoid a clean sweep of defeats for the first time since 2003.

    Italy on the other hand are very much a team on the rise.

    They were close to toppling Ireland and France in Rome, and will certainly fancy their chances against the Welsh - who they beat in Cardiff in last year's championship.

    So all to play for at Stadio Olimpico, let's take a look at today's line-ups.

    Stadio OlimpicoImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency