Wales too strong for Italy (From Haringey Independent)

Wales too strong for Italy

4:45pm Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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Wales swept Italy aside 33-10 to finish their RBS 6 Nations campaign in the emphatic fashion coach Warren Gatland had demanded.

Centre James Hook's quickfire try double, a Shane Williams touchdown and 18 points from the boot of fly-half Stephen Jones meant Wales comfortably avoided any threat of finishing with this season's wooden spoon.

They must settle for fourth spot - the result of defeats against England, France and Ireland - which confirms a disappointing season just two years after enjoying Grand Slam glory.

Italy, despite a try from lively full-back Luke McLean, were undone in the second period as Wales turned their 12-0 interval advantage into a runaway win.

Wing Mirco Bergamasco slotted a conversion and penalty for the Azzurri, yet they never threatened to record just a second victory in 28 Six Nations away games.

Gatland promised to put his players through pain during the build-up, so angered was he by their tame 27-12 loss against Ireland last weekend, and he saw a response after making five changes.

Wing Tom Prydie's startling promotion to senior duty was the headline selection by Gatland, but he also recalled three fit-again British and Irish Lions in skipper Ryan Jones, scrum-half Mike Phillips and prop Gethin Jenkins.

Prydie, Wales' youngest international player of all-time at 18 years and 25 years, coped well with the pressure, and it was an afternoon when the home side delivered, even though they made subduing a limited Italian outfit hard work at times.

But there are now far more challenging opponents on the horizon, with world champions South Africa awaiting Wales in early June, followed by two away Tests against New Zealand.