ROME — Italy’s rugby team produced an impressive performance at the Stadio Olimpico to overpower a demoralised Wales, clocking up an outstanding first half lead through the reliable boot of full-back Tommaso Allen and a spectacular try by star winger Ange Capuozzo. Starting the match in the unfamiliar role as favourites, the Azzurri held their nerve under pressure in the second half to claim a 22-15 victory, staving off the risk of a wooden spoon and hailed as admitting them to the adults’ table of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament.

 For the most part the match was a grim battle between forwards and kickers on a rain-swept day that failed to favour the Welsh, “more Rhonda than Rome” as one commentator said of the weather. The inspiring moment for Italian fans came when fly-half Paolo Garbisi dummied, darted into a gap in the Welsh defence and sent a grubber kick down the touch line. Capuozzo raced after the ball and touched down as he flew through the air and before his body came into contact with the ground outside the try area. It was a spectacular try from Italy’s most exciting player.
 

 Allan slotted the difficult conversion with confidence high.

 Wales fought back in the second half as Allan’s penalty kicking faltered. The Welsh scrum powered over the line in the 69th minute for a try by Aaron Wainwright and a penalty try awarded in the closing minutes of the match set up the possibility for Wales to draw level in extra time, with two Italian players in the sin bin.

 Once again the Azzurri held their nerve, claiming their first home win over Wales in 18 years and sealing a run of 14 successive defeats for the Welsh, with coach Warren Gatland’s team falling to their lowest ever position — 12th — in world rankings. For Italy it was the second defeat of Wales in successive seasons, with the Azzurri claiming three out of their last four clashes with the Reds after a gruelling series of 16 successive defeats.

 “Once the Six Nations whipping boys, the Azzurri are now at the adults’ table,” commented Planet Rugby, observing that Italy under Argentine coach Gonzalo Quesada was capable of producing intelligent, well-managed games without being overwhelmed by the burden of expectation.

 The specialist publication hailed the arrival of a “golden generation” of players, including the Cannone brothers, Sebastiano Negri, Garbisi and Capuozzo.

 Coach Quesada described the performance as “more than positive” and praised his players’ discipline in adopting a style of defensive rugby that was not congenial to them but was dictated by the slippery conditions.

 “We managed the game with consistency and pragmatism. We played a rugby that we don’t like, and I’m proud of them,” Quesada said.

 Having lost their opening match against Scotland 31-19, after drawing level at 19 all with the other Six Nations team most within their range, Italy will face a tough challenge against the remaining in-form contenders England, Ireland and France.

 The latter will be Italy’s next opponents. They handed out a 43-0 thrashing when they met the bedraggled Welshmen in the first round.

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