Lynagh remains unbeaten as Italy dominate faltering Wales
By Harry McLusky
Two caps, two wins for Louis Lynagh OH (2019) as Gonzalo Quesada’s Italian revolution marched on with an assured 21-24 triumph over a below-par Wales side. A second consecutive Six Nations victory for the Azzurri meant they dodged their 19th Wooden Spoon since 2000 and ensured Wales’s winless run went on.
Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium was the stage for Saturday’s spectacle, with Italy stepping into the dragons’ lair to a reception that completely contrasted that of the Stadio Olimpico seven days ago.
Despite the fiery atmosphere, Italy picked up where they left off, with Paolo Garbisi’s two early penalties capitalising on a sloppy start from the hosts.
Things went from bad to worse as Warren Gatland’s side were helpless to defend a beautifully-worked Italian attack, with Monty Ioane driving into the gaping Wales defence to earn his side a 0-11 advantage within twenty minutes.
Any sparks of a Wales resurgence were denied by either a tenacious Italian backline or unforced errors from the home side, who committed six knock-ons in the opening half.
Defensive mix-ups certainly didn’t help the hosts’ case with Cameron Winnett and Sam Costelow colliding whilst pursuing the same Stephen Varney clearance to swing the momentum back in Italy’s favour.
Magic from Lorenzo Pani topped off another stunning Italy attack on the other side of half time, with the full-back’s shimmy dodging Rio Dyer’s last-ditch tackle to bag his third try in eight caps to silence the home crowd.
Dyer was involved at the other end soon after, unlocking Tomos Williams down the left, who was denied a near-certain try by a valiant challenge from the recovering Ross Vintcent.
Nevertheless, Italy’s resilience was finally broken as Elliot Dee just managed to bundle the ball over the line to give a rejuvenated Wales side just over 15 minutes to overcome their eleven-point deficit.
However, Paolo Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo had something to say about a Wales comeback, both delivering perfection with their respective penalties from 40 yards each.
Late tries from Will Rowlands and Ioan Lloyd managed to give something for the crowd to cheer about in the dying seconds, however it was too little too late for the home side, who fell to their second defeat at the hands of the Azzurri in as many years.
Back-to-back Six Nations victories for the first time since 2007 for Italy secured them their best ever finish in the championship, with 11 points.
Wales failed to record a single victory during this year’s championship, finishing rock-bottom with a disappointing three points, bestowing them with the undesired Wooden Spoon- their first since 2007.
Lynagh was forced to be patient in a closely-contested catch. The Harlequins wing and former Hampton 1st XV captain came agonisingly close to intercepting a loose Welsh pass but showed promising signs with some early dashes and fantastic high claims. Lynagh remains unbeaten in an Italian shirt, as Italy move above Australia in the world rankings, the nation of his father and rugby great, Michael Lynagh.
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