Italy condemn Wales to another Six Nations Wooden Spoon

Wales (19) 24

Tries: Keight, Cox, Jones, Powell Cons: Bevan 2

Italy: (17) 43

Tries: Ostuni Minuzzi 2, Granzotto, D'Inca 2, Sgorbini Cons: Sillari 4

Wales suffered another Six Nations clean sweep after losing to Italy, a result which extends their winless run to a record nine Tests.

Three tries apiece had the contest finely balanced at half-time, but a repeat of last year's finale in Parma saw the Azzurre pull away from their deflated hosts.

Scores from Courtney Keight, Carys Cox and Kelsey Jones had cancelled out efforts from Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Francesca Granzotto and Alyssa D'Inca, with the boot of Keira Bevan giving Wales a slender lead.

But a superior Italy wore Wales down after the break, with Ostuni Minuzzi crossing for a second, and Francesca Sgorbini and Veronica Madia also adding scores.

Kayleigh Powell powered through for a late consolation, but it was Italy's day in the Welsh capital as they bid a fitting goodbye to legendary lock Valeria Fedrighi.

It was a second win of the campaign for the constantly improving Azzurre, while the post-mortem begins for Wales who have now won an unprecedented three consecutive Wooden Spoons.

Questions will also be asked of head coach Sean Lynn, who has only won one of 15 Tests since taking over.

After a disappointing showing in Belfast last weekend, Lynn told his players they had "80 minutes to fix it".

But it took just three for them to fall behind, the Italians breaking down the defence far too easily to create an overlap for Ostuni Minuzzi down the right wing.

Wales hit back shortly after, keeping it among the hard-carrying forwards before shipping the ball out for workhorse Keight to power over.

But no sooner had they been level, a loose kick from Lleucu George was charged down by returning wing Granzotto, who could not be caught over 50 metres.

Wales worked their way back upfield and looked to have pulled off a training ground line-out move to put Cox over, but she appeared to drop the ball before grounding - but to Wales and Cox's relief, the officials were happy there had been no separation.

While fortune favoured Wales in that call, there was no luck involved in Italy's third try, with Michela Sillari superbly setting up D'Inca.

Wales stayed in the fight, and while usually conceding on the stroke of half-time, pulled one back off another well-worked driving maul, with Jones dotting down.

Bevan's conversion meant Wales took a two-point lead down the tunnel, just like they did in Parma last year before Italy pulled away to register a record score.

It looked like this year's finale was going to be a much clsoer affair given the records Wales wanted to avoid, but Italy had too much after the break as the hosts fatigued from their defensive efforts.

True to last year's script it was the women in blue who struck first, their driving maul proving unstoppable, with Sgorbini claiming the bonus-point.

Wales were straight back under pressure from the restart with Italy winning a penalty and kicking deep into Welsh territory, and despite some better resistance, Ostuni Minuzzi found a way through for her second.

After falling 10 points behind, Wales were handed a lifeline when Granzotto was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, but they could not take advantage of the extra player as the attack once again fell flat.

Instead Italy added to their score, with a break down the left giving player of the match Madia the opportunity to go over.

And just to rub salt in Welsh wounds, D'Inca finished off a fine move a few minutes from time to ensure they once again surpassed 40 points.

Wales had the final say, and fitting the try went to one of the few bright sparks of the campaign, in Powell.

Wales: Powell; Singleton, Cox, Keight, J. Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, K. Jones, Tuipulotu, Metcalfe, Evans, Aiono, Lewis (capt), King.

Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, A. Joyce, Lockwood, Dallavalle, Prothero

Italy: Ostuni Minuzzi; Granzotto, Sillari, Mannini, D'Incà; Madia, Stefan; Turani, Vecchini, Maris, Fedrighi, Duca, Sgorbini, Ranuccini, Giordano (capt).

Replacements: Cheli, Zanette, Dosi, Frangipani, Veronese, Bitonci, Stevanin, Muzzo.

Sin bin: Granzotto 58