1
Italy condemn Warren Gatland's Wales to fresh rock-bottom in Rome
By PA
Warren Gatland’s position as Wales head coach was left hanging by a thread after his team lost 22-15 against Italy at Stadio Olimpico and lurched towards a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wales’ 14th successive Test match defeat could be the final straw for Gatland’s Welsh Rugby Union bosses.
They have promised a detailed review of Wales’ Six Nations performances after the tournament and matters are hardly likely to improve given that remaining fixtures are against Ireland, Scotland and England.
It was Gatland’s 20th loss in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint at the helm, an eighth Six Nations reversal in a row and the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats against Italy.
They also slumped to a new world ranking low of 12th, with Georgia climbing above them following their Rugby Europe Championship victory over the Netherlands in Tbilisi.
Rainswept Rome provided a suitably miserable back-drop for a Wales team undone by Italy wing Ange Capuozzo’s first-half try, plus five penalties and a conversion from full-back Tommaso Allan.
Wales managed an Aaron Wainwright try and late penalty try, plus a Ben Thomas penalty as Italy had forwards Marco Riccioni and Dino Lamb yellow-carded during the closing minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
There was no reprieve for Wales, though, with only a losing bonus-point collected and the inquest will be long and hard ahead of them resuming Six Nations action against Ireland in Cardiff on February 22.
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 lead into the break.
ADVERTISEMENT
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 find no way back despite a frenzied finale.
News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
RECOVER YOUR SCAMMED FUNDS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY VIA SPOTLIGHT RECOVERY
Contact:spotlightrecovery@protonmail.com
RECOVER YOUR SCAMMED FUNDS AND CRYPTOCURRENCY VIA SPOTLIGHT RECOVERY
Professional hackers at Spotlight Recovery provide services for compromised devices, accounts, and websites as well as for recovering stolen bitcoin and money from scams. They finish their work safely and quickly. Their order has been fulfilled since day one, and the victim will never be conscious of the outside entrance. Very few even attempt to give critical information, look into network security, or discreetly discuss personal issues. The Spotlight Recovery Crew helped me recover $264,000 that was stolen from my corporate bitcoin wallet, and I appreciate them giving me further details on the unidentified people. In the event that you have been defrauded of your hard-earned cash or bitcoins, contact SPOTLIGHT RECOVERY CREW at
There's a mystery behind every lottery winner's story that you don't know. I found a way to win after a long time of playing the lottery without winning any reasonable amount of money, i contacted Dr Lucas through Brad Duke's post saying how Dr Lucas helped him won the lottery with his spiritual powers, and i was very desperate to try him to see if it will work for me, i contacted him at once and he responded and asked what i want him to do for me, i told him i want to win big on the lottery and he replied by saying, that's what i know how to do best, he told me what i should do, i did them perfectly, he gave me a date that he will give me the numbers and he never failed, I'm ( Scott G ) the 55 million lottery winner, i was able to achieve this with the help of Dr Lucas spell, this is not a joke, my story is all over the Internet how i won 55 millions you can do your research, but i want everyone struggling to win the lottery to hit Dr Lucas up at once and your story will change at once just like every other people who have benefited from his good work, Dr Lucas is tested and trusted. Email Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com || WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567
There's a mystery behind every lottery winner's story that you don't know. I found a way to win after a long time of playing the lottery without winning any reasonable amount of money, i contacted Dr Lucas through Brad Duke's post saying how Dr Lucas helped him won the lottery with his spiritual powers, and i was very desperate to try him to see if it will work for me, i contacted him at once and he responded and asked what i want him to do for me, i told him i want to win big on the lottery and he replied by saying, that's what i know how to do best, he told me what i should do, i did them perfectly, he gave me a date that he will give me the numbers and he never failed, I'm ( Scott G ) the 55 million lottery winner, i was able to achieve this with the help of Dr Lucas spell, this is not a joke, my story is all over the Internet how i won 55 millions you can do your research, but i want everyone struggling to win the lottery to hit Dr Lucas up at once and your story will change at once just like every other people who have benefited from his good work, Dr Lucas is tested and trusted. Email Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com || WhatsApp +234 904 794 3567
Dear Wales,
How does being kiwi castrated eunuchs feel ?
For God's sake grow some new ones and sack that hopeless kiwi coach. It's painful watching you be so pathetic. Sack the company that manages kiwi coaches too.
20/26 must be some kind of record.
Time for Wales to be replaced by Georgia in the 6N.
(Not really)
But hypothetically it's interesting, no one would seriously consider Wales being relegated which kinda shows that some people still view Italy as second class citizens within the championship. It also closes the door on Georgia.
Italy have got 16 wooden spoons but weren't ever considered for relegation. Not sure how that is treating them as second class citizens.