Wales Secure Victory to End Six Nations Losing Streak
Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright has now scored six tries in 67 internationals.
Tries: Wainwright 2, Lake, Edwards Cons: Edwards 4 Drop-goal: Edwards
Tries: Di Bartolomeo, Allan, Garbisi Cons: Garbisi
Wales ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak in emphatic fashion by securing a bonus-point victory against Italy in Cardiff.
Number eight Aaron Wainwright scored two tries, complemented by a try from captain Dewi Lake. Fly-half Dan Edwards contributed 16 points, including a try and a drop-goal, as Wales surged to a 31-0 lead.
Italy responded in the second half with tries from replacements Tommaso di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan, along with a score from fly-half Paolo Garbisi.
Wainwright earned the player-of-the-match award for his exceptional performance, though he faced strong competition from Wales wing Ellis Mee.
Despite the win, Steve Tandy's team remains on course to receive a third consecutive Wooden Spoon for finishing last in the table, unless an unlikely result occurs between fifth-place England and title-contending France in Paris later this evening (20:10 GMT).
Performance and Result Both Delivered
The pre-match debate centered on whether Wales prioritized performance or result. Ultimately, the home side achieved both.
The joy and relief evident on the faces of Tandy and his coaching staff, along with the enthusiastic reception from the Cardiff crowd, underscored the significance of this victory.
Wales had conceded 102 points in opening defeats to England and France but showed marked improvement in narrow losses to Scotland and Ireland. This win represents a crucial and overdue progression.
Wales ended a 15-match Six Nations losing streak spanning three years, or 1,099 days, since their previous victory against Italy in Rome in March 2023.
This was Wales' first home Six Nations win in 1,491 days, following 11 consecutive home losses since beating Scotland in February 2022.
It marked only the third win in 28 Tests for Wales since the 2023 World Cup and the second victory for Tandy in nine games, the other being a narrow one-point win against Japan in November 2025.
Italy's Challenge and Outcome
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada anticipated Wales would be eager to secure a win, a prediction that proved accurate.
The match proved too challenging for Italy after their historic victory over England in Rome the previous weekend.
The Azzurri finished fourth in this year's table after failing to achieve two unique trebles at the Principality Stadium.
Italy was unable to secure a third consecutive win on Welsh soil, following successes in 2022 and 2024, and missed the chance for a first-ever hat-trick of wins in a single Six Nations after home victories against Scotland and England.
Match Line-Ups and Officials
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.
Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Hasa, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Odiase, Varney, Marin, Allan.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Television match official (TMO): Mike Adamson (SRU)
Foul Play Review Process (FPRO): Eric Gauzins (FFR).
