And the Italian defence is rewarded for their efforts, as this time it is Wales who spill the ball forward.

They are not out of the woods yet though, as they will have a scrum to defend on their own five-metre line.

The Welsh forwards are held up inches short once, twice, three times.

This is great defence from the Italian.

Wales are within a metre of the Italian try line.

Can they finally score early in this Six Nations campaign?

It's a good kick to the corner by Lleucu George, as Wales prepare to set up a driving maul.

A good first scrum from Wales, who send the Italy pack backwards at a rapid rate.

They look to go through a couple phases but cannot make any yards, so we will go back to the penalty at the scrum.

Philippa Tuttiett
Former Wales international on BBC One

Neither team has managed to score in the first 20 minutes of their games, I feel whoever can score first could be the one to edge this fixture.

A couple of dropped passes early on from the Italians but each time the ball went backwards according to referee.

Eventually the Azzurre are penalised for knocking the ball on, and after a little bit of afters we will have our first scrum of the game on Italy's 10-metre line.

Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron blows the whistle and we are under way, Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni with the kick-off.

Can Wales avoid the Wooden Spoon? Time to find out.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Sioned Harries
Former Wales Back Row on BBC Radio Wales

There needs to be some harsh reality for some individuals in the squad, if you're not honest with a group of players then effectively they become delusional and they think it's okay, we've tried our best we've been brave but being brave isn't good enough in a professional environment when performance is lacking.

With professionalism comes pressure and at the moment we can see that these girls maybe are not dealing well with that pressure.

Dyddgu Hywel
Former Wales full-back on BBC Radio Wales

I think the only one that worries me a little bit is consistency in partnerships, Lleucu George has had to play with Sian Jones and Keira Bevan every other game, I don't think we've had the same back three for either of the games.

As a player you like that consistency because you learn from game to game and can make those quick developments and improve your game, consistency is key for me.

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales at Principality Stadium

This time last year I remember being on the field in Parma where Wales had just put a record amount of points on Italy.

The players were all smiles, it was their "we have arrived" moment after turning professional at the start of 2022.

What a contrast we have today - Wales are hoping to avoid the wooden spoon against an Italy side with a great record in Cardiff.

They've not beaten them here since their encounter in the Millennium Stadium back in 2012.

Can they salvage something today?

Siwan Lillicrap
Former Wales captain on BBC One

They are under pressure, they will want to win today but the important thing is that they park that pressure and focus on the performance.

Caryl James
Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Wales

It's uncomfortable to look at the statistics when we analyse the games, they've been to the best competition in the world and come away from it not learning anything, that's the big problem.

Confidence is rock bottom, they need to pick it up. We know we got excellent, fantastic players, we are just not seeing it yet.

Dyddgu Hywel
Former Wales full-back on BBC Radio Wales

They've got their last chance today, last game of the Six Nations to make things right, hopefully they can be clinical today and get points on the board early.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales will be looking to beat Italy at home for the first time in 12 years to avoid the Women’s Six Nations Wooden Spoon.

Wales must win by 19 points, score four tries and stop the Azzurre picking up a bonus point to avoid finishing last.

It is a stark contrast to 12 months ago when Wales celebrated their best Six Nations finish in 13 years with a record victory in Parma, but they have yet to rediscover that form.

Italy have one win under their belt and start the day in fourth, but could rise to third depending on the result between Ireland and Scotland.

Forward Georgia Evans says Wales have taken their foot off the gas and that has allowed the rest of the Six Nations to pass them by.

Evans has been a mainstay in the Wales side that climbed to a record high of sixth place in the world following successive third-place finishes in the championship.

But their progress has badly stalled this year amid four defeats, despite additional investment into the game.

"We've got the strongest squad we've ever had, with the strength in depth, and have everything we need to be a success," said Evans.

"But it's sobering that other teams have rapidly caught us up in terms of professionalism.

"It's not that we've got worse, but we've probably taken our foot off the gas and other teams have caught up.

"But we'll be the first to hold up our hands and say we haven't done what was expected of us. Now we need to get our foot back down."

Read more: Wales have 'taken foot off the gas' - Evans

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Today's Six Nations finale against Italy will be in front of a record Wales crowd at the Principality Stadium.

Almost 10,000 tickets have been sold, with the previous record for a stand-alone women's Test match at 8,500 - when Wales hosted England at Cardiff Arms Park last year.

Wales' women last played at the nation's national stadium in a Barbarians double header in 2019.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

There is more at stake this year than just Six Nations placings, qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup is also on the line.

Hosts England are guaranteed a spot, along with France who were semi finalists in 2022.

The team that finishes third in the Six Nations will automatically join them, with the remaining places to be decided in other tournaments, including WXV this autumn.

Wales can qualify for WXV2 with a bonus-point win and if Italy leave Cardiff empty handed, but Ioan Cunningham's side must also rely on Ireland losing to Scotland with no bonus-point and getting a better points difference than Ireland and Italy.

If Wales finish bottom they will play Spain in a play-off to get into WXV2, with the loser going into WXV3.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Ioan Cunningham says Wales have to win against Italy in their final Women's Six Nations game this afternoon.

Wales have lost all four games in the tournament so far and Cunningham has responded to claims they have sugar-coated the analysis of their performances so far.

Italy captain Elisa Giordano packs down at number eight, while in the half-backs Emma Stevanin returns at fly-half.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi is this time deployed on the wing, while Beatrice Capomaggi lines up at full-back.

Alyssa D'Incà moves in from the wing to outside centre.

On the bench, Lucia Gai is set to become only the second Italian to reach 100 caps - a record previously held solely by Sara Barattin.

Italy: Beatrice Capomaggi; Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D’Inca, Beatrice Rigoni; Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Sara Seye, Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca, Ilaria Arrighetti, Francesca Sgorbini. Elisa Giodano (capt).

Replacements: Laura Gurioli, Gaia Maris, Lucia Gai, Valeria Fedrighi, Isabella Locatelli, Beatrice Veronese, Veronica Madia, Francesca Granzotto.

Image source, Getty Images