Wales.................22pts
Tries: Phillips 15, Pyrs 43, Tuipulotu 77
Conversions: Bevan 44, George 78
Penalties: Bevan 51
Italy.................... 20pts
Tries: Minuzzi 17, Granzotto 55, Stevanin 70
Conversions: Rigoni 18
Penalties: Rigoni 38
LLEUCU George slotted a crunch conversion as Wales secured their only victory of this year’s Six Nations but it wasn’t enough to escape following the men’s side in picking up the dreaded Wooden Spoon.
Wales needed a bonus point victory to stand any chance of climbing off the bottom, but they could manage only three tries from front row trio Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs and Sisilia Tuipulotu, and know there are now implications for WXV and World Cup qualification.
It was their first win over Italy on home soil since 2012 in front of a record crowd and proud captain Hannah Jones said: “We 100 per cent deserved that. We’ve had a tough campaign and we have kept working hard.
“I’m so proud of the girls just to get over and get this win today. I’d like to thank the supporters who have continued to support us through the tough times and that is definitely for you guys.”
Phillips threw a short ball to Alisha Butchers before taking it back and charging over the line for the opening score on 15 minutes.
But no sooner had home fans finished celebrating that Italy were back on level terms as Wales were caught napping. Hannah Bluck, making her first appearance this campaign, took the restart in the midfield but lost possession which allowed Vittoria
