Wales 23-15 Italy
Date:
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Attendance: 66,974
Wales v Italy Match Reports
Wales got their title defence off to a winning start with an unconvincing 23-15 victory over Italy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Two tries from Italian centre (and man-of-the-match) Michele Campagnaro kept the score line close until the final minutes, but Wales were strong enough to hold onto their lead. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- BBC: Sluggish Wales hold on to beat Italy
- Guardian: Wales do just enough to hold off resilient Italy in Six Nations opener
- Independent: Champions get defence off to unconvincing start despite victory over brave Italians
- Telegraph: Patchy Wales struggle to opening victory
- Daily Mail: Champions get their Six Nations off to a flyer as Gatland's men see off Italy in Cardiff
- Sky Sports: Wales beat Italy in tournament opener in Cardiff
- ESPN: Wales survive Italy scare in Six Nations opener
- Wales Online: Rusty Wales open campaign with unconvincing 23-15 win over Italy
- South Wales Argus: Wales 23 Italy 15
- RBS 6 Nations: Defending champions Wales overpower defiant Italy
Wales v Italy Match Highlights
Wales v Italy Match Statistics
Wales 23 (17)
Tries: Cuthbert, Williams
Conversions: Halfpenny (2)
Penalties: Halfpenny (3)
Italy 15 (3)
Tries: Campagnaro (2)
Conversions: Allan
Penalties: Allan
Man of the Match: Michele Campagnaro (Italy)
Wales Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1. Paul James
- 2. Richard Hibbard
- 3. Adam Jones
- 4. Luke Charteris
- 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Captain)
- 6. Dan Lydiate
- 7. Justin Tipuric
- 8. Toby Faletau
Backs
- 9. Mike Phillips
- 10. Rhys Priestland
- 11. George North
- 12. Jamie Roberts
- 13. Scott Williams
- 14. Alex Cuthbert
- 15. Leigh Halfpenny
Replacements
- 16. Ken Owens
- 17. Ryan Bevington
- 18. Rhodri Jones
- 19. Andrew Coombs
- 20. Sam Warburton
- 21. Rhys Webb
- 22. James Hook
- 23. Liam Williams
Italy Team Line-up
Forwards
- 1. Michele Rizzo
- 2. Leonardo Ghiraldini
- 3. Martin Castrogiovanni
- 4. Quintin Geldenhuys
- 5. Marco Bortolami
- 6. Alessandro Zanni
- 7. Mauro Bergamasco
- 8. Sergio Parisse (Captain)
Backs
- 9. Edoardo Gori
- 10. Tommaso Allan
- 11. Leonardo Sarto
- 12. Alberto Sgarbi
- 13. Michele Campagnaro
- 14. Angelo Esposito
- 15. Luke Mclean
Replacements
- 16. Davide Giazzon
- 17. Alberto De Marchi
- 18. Lorenzo Cittadini
- 19. Joshua Furno
- 20. Francesco Minto
- 21. Tobias Weitz Botes
- 22. Luciano Orquera
- 23. Tommaso Iannone