ITALY 7-48 WALES
Wales are one game away from one of the most unlikely Grand Slams after comfortably dispatching a hapless Italian side.
Wayne Pivac entered the 2021 Six Nations under immense pressure but they have taken advantage of just about all the breaks that have presented themselves. Ireland and Scotland both finished with 14 men against the Welsh while England were left ruing two crucial calls that cost them tries in Cardiff.
The Welsh have improved in each outing, though, and they were clinical against an Italy team that are game but out of their depth at this level.
Two first half tries from hooker Ken Owens, a Toby Faletau score and a 16th Test try for winger Josh Adams prety much put Italy in Wales’ rear-view mirror. After only 30 minutes, the try-scoring bonus point and the win were both secured.
Monty Ioane’s wonderful chip and chase try was no more than a consolation score for Italy and came either side of a George North score, an intercept try from Louis Rees-Zammit (below) and another for sub Callum Sheedy.
Probably the last person in world rugby you'd want to see intercepting a pass against you…
LRZ does it again ⚡️ 🏴#GuinnessSixNations #ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/A9cGIPuy5B
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 13, 2021
That Rees-Zammit 75+ metre dash for the tryline were half of his staggering 150 metres gained on eight carries. Both he and George North made three clean breaks apiece.
Wales are now four wins from four and on 19 points. They will secure a second Grand Slam in three championship outings if they can defeat France in Paris next weekend.
With the Lions Tour still set to go ahead, this summer, the game all but booked call-ups for five players, with a few more not far off. Following the 48-7 victory, and those first four outings, the following players are definitely getting picked by Warren Gatland if they stay fit:
- Ken Owens
- Toby Faletau
- Louis Rees-Zammit
- George North
- Josh Adams
- Alun Wyn Jones
Not far off, either, is prop Wynn Jones and flanker Josh Navidi, who won the official Man of the Match award after making seven carries, sticking 19 tackles and being a driving force for the Welsh all day. You can put your money on Jonathan Davies and Justin Tipuric being in the mix too.
It’s all coming up Wales.
Our man of the match: Josh Adams (Wales)
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