Wales vs Italy: Player Ratings from Six Nations Victory | PlanetRugby

Wales secured a decisive 31-17 victory over Italy in their final Six Nations match on Saturday, ending a three-year drought without a win in the competition. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff witnessed a strong performance from several Welsh players, particularly in the pack and at half-back, signaling a potential turning point for the team after a period of struggle. This win not only breaks a 15-match losing streak, as reported by The Guardian, but also provides a foundation for future improvements.

Dominant Performances in the Pack

The forward play was a key component of Wales’ success. Number eight Aaron Wainwright delivered an outstanding display, scoring two tries and demonstrating power throughout the match, earning a rating of 8/10. Flanker James Botham mirrored this intensity, contributing significantly to a dominant defensive performance and also receiving an 8/10 rating. Both players were instrumental in disrupting Italian attacks and providing a solid platform for the backs. Alex Mann, also at flanker, continued to impress, building on a trend of strong performances during Wales’ recent challenges, earning a 7/10. The collective effort of the Welsh loose trio clearly overwhelmed their Italian counterparts.

The front row also shone. Rhys Carre, the loosehead prop, was described as “absolutely fantastic,” dominating in both the scrum and the loose, while Tomas Francis, at tighthead, held his own against a strong Italian opponent despite having to leave the field before halftime, receiving a 6/10. Hooker Dewi Lake, captaining the side, was a powerful presence, contributing to turnovers and deservedly scoring a try, also earning an 8/10. Ben Carter and Dafydd Jenkins, in the second row, both received 7/10 ratings, demonstrating growth throughout the tournament and providing a solid foundation in the set piece. The lineout, initially problematic, was rectified during the match, further solidifying the forward performance.

Composed Half-Back Partnership Drives Attack

The Welsh half-back pairing of Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards proved particularly effective. Williams, the scrum-half, was lauded for his classy operation, outstanding kicking, and decision-making, maintaining a high tempo throughout the game and earning an 8/10. Edwards, at fly-half, controlled the game effectively, making composed decisions, taking the right options, and contributing a try and superb kicking, also receiving an 8/10. The improved platform provided by the pack allowed Edwards to play with greater freedom and control, resulting in a more fluid and effective attacking game. This partnership appears to be a key element in Wales’ potential resurgence.

Back Three Dynamics and Centre Partnership

The back three of Louis Rees-Zammit, Ellis Mee, and Josh Adams showed promising signs of working well together. Adams, while not the attacking threat he once was, contributed a couple of surges in the second half and brought a “spiky character” that seemed to positively influence the team, earning a 7/10. Rees-Zammit, playing at full-back, is still adjusting to the position, struggling somewhat with space and the high ball, but demonstrated improved decision-making and earned a 6/10. Mee provided a defensively excellent performance, earning a 7/10, despite limited attacking opportunities.

The centre partnership of Eddie James and Joe Hawkins also showed improvement. James, given a consistent run in the team, has turn into a focal point in attack, providing front-foot ball for the half-backs and earning a 7/10. Hawkins, complementing James, demonstrated both playmaking talent and physicality, standing up well against a strong Italian combination, also receiving a 6/10. The developing synergy between these two players is a positive sign for Wales’ attacking prospects.

Replacements and Areas for Improvement

While the starting XV performed strongly, the replacements weren’t quite as effective, and Italy gained some momentum when the Wales bench came on. This suggests an area for improvement in maintaining intensity and impact throughout the entire match. The replacements received a collective rating of 5/10, indicating a need for greater consistency in performance from the squad depth. As noted in the match report from Six Nations Rugby, the game was largely decided by the time the replacements entered the field, but building on the work of the starters remains a key objective.

Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum

The victory over Italy represents a significant step forward for Wales, ending a prolonged period of underperformance. The strong performances from the pack, the composed half-back partnership, and the developing centre combination provide a solid foundation for future success. However, maintaining consistency in performance, particularly from the replacements, will be crucial. The team will now look to build on this momentum as they prepare for future challenges. The focus will likely be on refining the set-piece, further developing the attacking patterns, and ensuring that the squad depth can contribute effectively when called upon. Further analysis of the match, including detailed video review and performance data, will be undertaken by the coaching staff to identify areas for continued improvement. The next steps involve a thorough assessment of the team’s performance throughout the Six Nations campaign and the implementation of a targeted training program to address any weaknesses and maximize strengths.