Wales player ratings vs Italy | 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations

Wales player ratings: Wales might be getting another Wooden Spoon, but especially in the first half, they looked really good as they beat Italy 31-17.

Hammered in the first game by England, but left Italy shell-shocked with their start. Have grown in every round and finally have something to cheer about. Here’s how the players rated:

15. Louis Rees-Zammit – 7.5
Peppered under the high ball by the Italians like they were sensing a weakness. His pace in attack is always a danger, but is he wasted at full-back despite looking more settled in the position.

14. Ellis Mee – 7
Lost a couple of early turnovers, but he didn’t let it affect his game, and he worked tirelessly in defence, including a second-half try-saving tackle and enjoyed a pretty good game in attack.

13. Eddie James – 6.5
Always looked to link up with Hawkins, which made Wales’s back three look dangerous, helping to establish a platform, and it took a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Louis Lynagh to deny him a second-half try.

12. Joe Hawkins – 6
Didn’t play in the first game of the Championship against England, but has been a fixture since, wanting to get his hands on the ball as often as he could. He was never one to hide away.

11. Josh Adams – 6.5
Another tough performance, in which he really put his body on the line, had the Italians mesmerised by his mazy running and clever steps. It needed a desperate ankle tap to stop him from scoring in the second half.

10. Dan Edwards – 8
Again, he was faultless with his place kicking and secured his side the bonus point, using his pace to take advantage of a gap in the line to leave the Italians grasping at air. He also floated over a brilliant long-range drop goal.

9. Tomos Williams – 7.5
Is a world-class act, looking to get his side moving with quick ball and kicked very well, pinning the Italians back and relieving pressure with his precision like kicking.

1. Rhys Carre – 7
Is quickly becoming a fan favourite with Wales fans, and it’s easy to see why. Always looking to get involved in the action, made a couple of shuddering heavy tackles before being given an early rest with the game won early in the second half.

2. Dewi Lake – 7.5
Suffered a nervous start with his throwing, losing three lineouts, including giving away a penalty with a dummy throw, but scored a simple close-range try from a catch and drive and led from the front. Giving every ounce of energy to the cause.

3. Tomas Francis – 5
The Provence tighthead put his opposite number, Danilo Fischetti, under pressure at the scrum, winning an early penalty, but he was forced to limp out of action after suffering an injury just before half-time and was replaced by Archie Griffin.

4. Dafydd Jenkins – 7.5
The Exeter Chiefs man set out his stall when he disrupted the first line out and was brilliant in both attack and defence, and is turning into a key man in the Wales revival.

5. Ben Carter – 6.5
A player who has done really well since coming into the side. Doesn’t make a song and dance, and a lot of his work often goes under the radar as he puts on a workman-like shift in game after game.

6. Alex Mann – 6
Out in another hard-working performance in the back-row. He tackled well, with only Jenkins and Botham making more than him and also did some neat work in the line out.

7. James Botham – 6.5
Will soon have Jac Morgan breathing down his neck, wanting his place back, but has shown that he is more than up for the fight, is as hardworking as anyone, with only Jenkins making more tackles.

8. Aaron Wainwright – 8.5
Leicester Tigers fans will be licking their lips at the thought of him moving to Welford Road next season. He has been superb throughout the Championship and was rewarded with two very different first-half tries, a barnstorming run, and then a close-range effort.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.5

8

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.7

10

Entries

Replacements
16. Ryan Elias – 5
Did his job after coming on early in the second half.

17. Nicky Smith – 5
A busy performance off the bench.

18. Archie Griffin – 4.5
Sent into the sin bin for collapsing a maul.

19. Adam Beard – 5
Didn’t let anybody down.

20. Olly Cracknell – NA
He came on with ten minutes left.

21. Kieran Hardy – NA
Only came on for the final three minutes.

22. Jarrod Evans – 5
A couple of nervous moments.

23. Blair Murray – NA
Got 90 seconds at the end.