Wales finish their Six Nations campaign with win over Italy

• Wales finished their Women’s Six Nations 2023 campaign on Saturday with win over Italy to secure third place 
• The win secured Italy a spot in the top tier of Women’s Rugby new global WXV competition

Wales finished their Women’s Six Nations 2023 campaign on Saturday with win over Italy to secure third place.

Wales scored five tries to beat Italy 36-10, thanks to Bethan Lewis, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Sioned Harries, Alex Callender and Kerin Lake. Italy’s try was scored by Veronicah Madia as Michela Sillari added a conversion and a penalty. This is the first time since 2009 that Wales have won three games in a Six Nations tournament.

Wales needed just one point to cement third place but they got the maximum after beating Italy 36-10. Photo/ RugbyPass.

Wales, who needed just a point against Italy to cement their third place ended up getting the maximum. The win secured a spot for them in the top tier of Women’s Rugby new global WXV competition. Together with France and England, they’ll play the top three teams in the Pacific Four Series, which has Canada, Australia, New Zealand and USA.

Speaking after the match, Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said he was so proud of his team for the good game against Italy.

“It was a great game, credit to Italy, they threw everything at us. I am so proud of our team, how they managed that arm wrestle and came out the other side. It was always going to be a challenge, but I think we have shown growth and development to come out here and get those five tries. I’m very pleased, [scoring more tries] was one target that we wanted to do after the World Cup.” BBC Sports quotes Ioan Cunningham. 

How Wales Beat Italy In Six Nations

The first half of the Italy vs Wales game was a scrappy, stop-start affair with both sides struggling to control the game.

Wales took a narrow lead after Keira Bevan converted her penalty. However, the visitors could not assert scrum dominance with Kelsey Jones struggling to find target in the match. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute off some poor discipline from Italy. Bethan Lewis found the gap to cross following a great bit of pressure on the Italian try line.

Keira Bevan in action for Wales. Photo/ Irish Examiner.

A brilliant move led to Italy responding minutes later. It started with Giada Franco bursting down the left wing before offloading to Auro Muzzo. Veronica Madia then managed to ground despite Hannah Jones’ last-ditch tackle.

Italy continued to put pressure on Wales, eventually leveling the scores through Michela Sillari’s penalty. But it was Italy who were leading by half-time, thanks to Sisilia Tuipulotu powering between the posts to cross and record her fourth try of the campaign.

Wales came back from the break stronger and extended their advantage through Alex Callender after an excellent move by Sioned Harries. Kerin Lake wrapped up the win for Wales against Italy to finish third in Women’s Six Nations.