Italy 22-15 Wales: Six Nations loss piles pressure on Warren Gatland as Wales suffer 14th straight defeat
Wales lose to Italy in successive Six Nations matches for first time as alarming slump plunges to new depths; Ange Capuozzo try and five Tommaso Allan penalties earn Italy deserved victory, defeat could spell consecutive wooden spoons for Wales and have ramifications for Warren Gatland
Last Updated: 11/02/25 2:04pm
Wales fell to a record-extending 14th defeat in a row as Italy piled the pressure on Warren Gatland with a 22-15 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
It was billed the biggest match in a generation for Welsh rugby, but Gatland and his players failed to rise the occasion in sodden conditions consistent with their slump towards successive Six Nations wooden spoons.
A superbly finished Ange Capuozzo first-half try and a flurry Tommaso Allan penalties did the damage as Italy established a 19-3 lead with 11 minutes remaining.
Italy 22-15 Wales - Score summary
Italy - Tries: Capuozzo (20). Conversions: Allan (21). Penalties: Allan (7, 29, 34, 61, 74).
Wales - Tries: Wainwright (69), Penalty (79). Penalties: Thoma (17).
Aaron Wainwright's late try threatened to spark a Wales comeback, but hope was snuffed out by Allan's fifth penalty, with Italy still able to prevail as winners despite conceding a late penalty try and ending the match with 13 players.
The defeat - Wales' first in Rome since 2007 - marks the lowest ebb of Gatland's second stint in charge and could have huge ramifications for his future as head coach.
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Wales plight worsens in rainswept Rome
There was a double blow before kick-off for Wales with the news that full-back Liam Williams and lock Dafydd Jenkins had been ruled out of the game through injury and illness.
Team news
- Wales were dealt a last-minute injury blow as Liam Williams (knee) and Dafydd Jenkins (illness) were forced to withdraw from the Test squad hours before kick-off in Rome. Blair Murray and Freddie Thomas were brought into the starting XV, which featured Taulupe Faletau for the first time in 16 months, and Eddie James, who made his first Test start.
- Niccolo Cannone replaced Dino Lamb in the second row in the only change to Italyโs starting XV following their defeat in Scotland in their opening Six Nations fixture.
Wales made a bright start in dismal conditions, with scrum-half Tomos Williams' kick into space almost being gathered by wing Josh Adams before the ball slid into touch.
But Italy took the lead after seven minutes when Allan kicked an angled 35-metre penalty, which was followed by an inevitable aerial battle as both sides employed kicking strategies, given the weather.
Thomas hauled Wales level through a penalty, yet not before the visitors saw centre Nick Tompkins depart for a head injury assessment as Josh Hathaway took over from him.
Prop Gareth Thomas then required treatment after taking a blow to his knee, before Wales' defence was unlocked by fly-half Paolo Garbisi's deft kick and Capuozzo finished brilliantly under pressure from a chasing Welsh defence.
Allan added the touchline conversion and Wales were in trouble as Tompkins rejoined the action, playing way too laterally, while Italy had impressive control of their basics.
Wales had a flood of problems on the back of a dominant second quarter by Italy and two Allan penalties during a four-minute spell opened up a healthy lead for the Azzurri.
Wales desperately needed something before the interval, with Adams and hooker Evan Lloyd going close but there was no way through and Italy took an emphatic 16-3 lead into the break.
Gatland changed the entire front-row just five minutes after the restart and Murray provided a glimmer of hope when he broke from deep inside his own half to give Wales some much-needed territory.
Dan Edwards also replaced fly-half Ben Thomas midway through the third quarter as Gatland sought a spark of inspiration that might give his team an opportunity to turn things around.
Allan missed two penalties in quick succession, yet Wales could find no way into the contest, being pinned on the back foot as they almost fell further behind when Martin Page-Relo's long-range penalty hit the crossbar.
Adams then received a yellow card following a head-on-head collision with Garbisi and, although Wainwright breached Italy's defence 11 minutes from time and a penalty try followed soon afterwards, Wales could not complete a late turnaround despite a frenzied finale.
Gatland 'questioning himself' as Wales plumb new depths
Gatland reflected on bitter disappointment and frustration after Wales crashed to a 14th successive Test match defeat and left his position as head coach under continued forensic scrutiny.
"There is no doubt it's challenging. You do question yourself in terms of that. As a group, the players are working incredibly hard. We had some good preparation going into the game and were pretty clear on what we wanted to do.
"With the weather conditions, we knew it would be a tight game. It was probably going to be about kicking and taking the opportunities.
"The players are frustrated, the staff and coaches are frustrated as well. We are bitterly disappointed. We created some opportunities that we didn't finish off.
"Discipline didn't help us in terms of the penalty count - [it] was 14-4 at one point. In fairness to Italy, they kept the scoreboard ticking over with penalty opportunities they got.
"When you are under pressure, some of your decision-making goes off-cue. You definitely feel the pressure as a team that hasn't won for a while.
"It is the same when we've been on winning streaks. You can see the composure and the calmness of the team, waiting for those opportunities.
"That is just where we are at the moment. We just need the bounce of the ball and a couple of decisions to go our way. Those things can quickly turn around."
Biggar: Wales short of belief and confidence
Former Wales international Dan Biggar told ITV:
"If you look at the games they have lost in the last 12 months, today was the poorest performance in that run.
"It is hard to say because there are a lot of good people there, but it is just not working. Whatever is going on Monday to Friday is not being transferred to the pitch on a Saturday.
"Wales have Ireland coming to Cardiff in two weeks, they travel to Scotland and welcome England.
"This team looks one that is shot of belief and confidence. We keep getting asked the same questions but what are the answers. I am not quite sure. The curve has been downward.
"I don't think anything is off the table at the moment, it can't be. It can't carry on.
"It is such a shame because there are so many good people there who have had success previously but clearly what is happening there in the week is not working."
What's next?
The Six Nations pauses for a fallow week, after which Wales host Ireland in Cardiff on February 22 (kick-off 2.15pm), with Italy welcoming France to Rome on February 23 (kick-off 3pm).
