6 Nations Tournament (J5): Italy dominates Wales and ends their infernal series
Published on March 19, 2022 at 6:08 p.m. – updated on March 19, 2022 at 6:14 p.m.
Mathieu WARNIER
Thanks to a try from Edoardo Padovani at the very end of the match, Italy won for the first time in Wales and put an end to a series of 36 defeats in a row (21-22) but did not avoid the last place in the 6 Nations Tournament.
Seven years of waiting have come to an end for Italy. Without a single victory in the 6 Nations Tournament since a trip to Scotland on February 28, 2015, the Squadra Azzurra defeated the Indian sign at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. After 36 defeats in a row in the continental tournament, Kieran Crowley’s players have taken the best of Leek’s XV and put an end to their unthinkable series. While Paolo Garbisi opened the scoring on penalty after just under a quarter of an hour of play, the Montpellier opener left it to Edoardo Padovani to double the lead from long distance. Speeded up for the 150th cap of legend Alun Wyn Jones, Wayne Pivac’s players reacted shortly before the half hour mark. Following a long sequence of percussion, Toby Faletau launched Owen Watkin. The Welsh center found the fault in the Italian defensive curtain to flatten the first try of the meeting, transformed by Dan Biggar.
The Welsh never sank
However, the Welsh were too unruly throughout this first period, giving Paolo Garbisi and then Edoardo Padovani six more points to Italy’s credit. At the very end of the first act, the Italians thought they had scored a try after an error by Johnny McNicholl but, after using the video, the referee penalized a foul in the air by Monty Ioane and the Squadra Azzurra regained their locker room with only a five-point lead. Recovered, the players of Wales put pressure on the Italians who ended up giving in twelve minutes after the recovery. Taking advantage of a conquering ball carried after a touch, Dewi Lake flattened everything in power to put the XV of Leek in the direction of travel. Paolo Garbisi then restored Italy’s lead before seeing Edoardo Padovani miss the ball from midfield shortly after the hour mark.
Italy did well not to abdicate
Eleven minutes from the siren, Josh Adams got the Principality Stadium crowd to their feet with the third Welsh try after resisting three opposing defenders. Wayne Pivac’s team, facing a stifled Squadra Azzurra, thought they had made the break by Wyn Jones but two Italian defenders were able to slip between the lawn and the ball. It was on the last action that Italy was able to snatch victory. Established at the back, Grenoble’s Ange Capuozzo revived and brought the ball up for almost 60 meters before finding Edoardo Padovani perfectly who went to try between the poles. Paolo Garbisi did not tremble on the transformation and offers an unexpected victory and which comes from afar to Italy (21-22). If the Squadra Azzurra does not avoid the last place, it ends on a very good note against a team from Wales which will remain a disappointment after this fourth defeat in five games.
TOURNAMENT OF 6 NATIONS 2022 / 5TH DAY
Saturday March 19, 2022
Wales – Italy : 21-22
5:45 p.m.: Ireland – Scotland
9 p.m.: France – England
Ranking
1- France 18 points
2- Ireland 16
3- England 10
4- Scotland 10
5- Wales 7
6- Italy 4
