Italy overpower Wales in U20 Six Nations finale

Under-20s Six Nations

Wales (13) 13

Tries: Edwards Cons: Lucas Pens: Lucas 2

Italy (10) 20

Tries: Miranda, Wilson, Pelli, Fardin

Wales' promising Under-20s Six Nations ended in disappointment after a 20-13 loss to Italy at Rodney Parade.

Richard Whiffin's side have provided plenty of encouragement with their displays in the championship but finish with just one victory against Scotland.

Wales led 13-10 after a first half that was largely played in torrential rain thanks to a try by full-back Lewis Edwards and eight points from the boot of fly-half Lloyd Lucas.

However, they were overpowered by an Italy side who deservedly recorded their first win of the tournament with a bonus-point thanks to tries by flankers Antony Miranda and Jaheim Wilson, hooker Valerio Pelli and lock Simone Fardin.

Italy, who beat Wales in Colwyn Bay in 2022, avoided the Wooden Spoon thanks to the five points and Scotland's defeat by Ireland in Cork.

It would have been a more convincing victory were it not for struggles from the kicking tee.

Wales head coach Whiffin had said a win was needed against Italy to make it a "par" Six Nations after battling performances in defeats by England, France and Ireland plus the win against the Scots at Cardiff Arms Park.

The hosts struck first when fit again Ospreys full-back Edwards slipped through tackles and slid over after centre Steffan Emanuel's double-pump pass.

Italy responded with tries by their flankers after Antony Miranda burst through a driving maul and open-side Jaheim Wilson profited from an excellent claim of a high ball by wing Malik Faissal.

Fly-half Francesco Braga missed both conversions and that allowed opposite number Lucas to put Wales in front at the break with a pair of penalties for offside.

Italy bossed the start of the second half and went 20-13 in front thanks to hooker Valerio Pelli's driving line-out try and the bonus-point score by lock Simone Fardin, who carried hard in the 22 and span over.

The visitors should have given themselves breathing space just past the hour only for full-back Pietro Celi to mirror Braga's struggles by missing a routine penalty.

Wales had a shot at a share of the spoils in the closing stages only to fail with an attack in the 22, leaving them to settle for a losing bonus-point.

Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin said: "Unfortunately it was our worst performance of the five and we couldn't get anything going.

"We got stuck in a niggly game of set piece, knock-ons and aerial battles. We couldn't build enough pressure on Italy and we weren't at the races in the second half.

"You could easily let this game sour the whole tournament but it shows how tough it is to back performances up.

"We have given opportunities to 35 players in the Six Nations and have found out a lot about them ahead of the World Championship."

Wales U20: Edwards; Scott, Darwin-Lewis, Emanuel (co-capt), Bowen; Lucas, S Davies; Tuckley, Howe, Pritchard, L Evans, Osian Williams, Gwynne (co-capt), C James, Kossuth.

Replacements: O Thomas, D James, I Godfrey, Rees, Osian B Williams, Ridgway, Pritchard, Jones.

Italy U20: Celi; Faissal, De Novellis, Casarin (capt), Rossi; Braga, Varotto; Brasini, Pelli, Trevisan, Fardin, Sette, Miranda, Wilson, Zanella.

Replacements: Reina, Messori, Meroi, Kurti, Dene, Teodosio, Antoni, Del Sureto.

Referee: Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina).

Assistants: Jamie Parr & Henry Pearson (England).

TMO: Paulo Duarte (Portugal).