Wales U20s end Summer Series with Italy loss

Jorja Aiono of Wales charges forwardImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Image caption,

Wales Under-20s and Italy Under-20s scored four tries apiece at Ystrad Mynach

Wales Under-20s rounded off their Six Nations Summer Series with a narrow 24-28 defeat by Italy Under-20s in Ystrad Mynach.

Elena Errichiello touched down midway through the opening half, with Lavinia Pratichetti converting as Italy led 7-0 at the Centre for Sporting Excellence.

But Wales hit back with their first try through Molly Wakely on 25 minutes, with Savannah Picton-Powell's score and Hanna Marshall's conversion five minutes before the break putting the hosts 12-7 ahead at half-time.

The Italians restored their lead with a try from Chiara Cheli and a second conversion from Pratichetti shortly after the interval.

The lead changed hands a further three times in quick succession as Cheli scored her second try of the contest in between tries from Seren Singleton and Chiara Pearce - Ffion Williams adding the extras for the latter.

But Cheli completed her hat-trick in the 74th minute - with Pratichetti maintaining her 100% record of converting - as the Italians snatched a late victory.

It ensured Liza Burgess' side ended their campaign with just one win from their trio of fixtures having lost 27-10 to Ireland in their opener before beating Scotland 52-20 in their second game.

Earlier in the day, Ireland secured an emphatic 62-7 victory against Scotland, with England rounding off their campaign against France at 18:00 BST.