Wales captain Mel Berry crossed for a try in each half

Wales Women secured qualification for the World Cup with a 29-7 Six Nations victory over Italy in Mira.

Naomi Thomas and captain Mel Berry got first-half tries to give coach Jason Lewis' team a 12-0 advantage.

Thomas' run from her own half set up Non Evans for a fine try at the start of the second period, Berry and Catrin Edwards rounding off Wales' scoring.

Flanker Michela Este stole over for a converted consolation try in injury time, denying Wales a clean sheet.

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Wales needed to finish above Scotland, Ireland and Italy in the Six Nations table to secure automatic qualification for next year's World Cup.

"We are pleased to post another win in the championship," said Lewis.

"Italy were very confrontational in the first half and we didn't help ourselves in the contact area where the referee was particularly vigilant.

"Our focus is now on the game against Ireland next week.

"If we beat Ireland we will finish second in the championship."

Wales Women: Naomi Thomas (Bristol); Non Evans (Cardiff Quins), Clare Flowers (Bristol), Rachel Poolman (Uwic), Louis Rickard (Woodbridge); Awen Thomas (Cardiff Quins), Laura Prosser (Pontyclun); Hannah Roberts (Uwic), Rhian Bowden (Uwic), Claire Horgan (Saracens), Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins) Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Jamie Kift (Bristol), Mellissa Berry (Bristol, capt).
Replacements: Jenny Davies (Waterloo), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins), Claire Donovan (Saracens), Lou Horgan (Saracens), Kerry Jenkins (Cardiff Quins), Aimee Young (Uwic), Ali Wright (Loughborough).

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