Italy ended their seven year long losing streak in the Guinness Six Nations with a historic first ever victory in Cardiff over Wales.
Italy were written off before the start of the match, having already secured yet another wooden spoon. However, the young Italian side refused to resign their fate to another defeat.
The took an early 6-0 lead through two long-ranged penalties from Paolo Garbisi and Edoardo Padovani, Owen Watkin put Wales on the board with a converted try to take the lead after half an hour.
Garbisi kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors. Tries to Dewi Lake and Josh Adams seemed to secure the victory for Wales on Dan Biggar's 100th test match for Wales, and Alun Wyn Jones' 150th.
However, in the final minute before full time, a spectacular run against the run of play from Ange Capuozzo put Padovani in for their first try of the game.
INCREDIBLE!!
Italy score a sensational try in the final moments to secure their first win since 2015 🙌#GuinnessSixNations #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/lQizHDAypQ— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
It was Garbisi who kicked the match-winning conversion, and the Italians rightfully broke out in emotion at the final whistle.
The moment Italy have been waiting 7⃣ years for 🙌#GuinnessSixNations | #WALvITA pic.twitter.com/7BLiA9EI1Z
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 19, 2022
The defeat for Wales continues a rather unfortunate streak for the British & Irish captain Alun Wyn Jones, however, as he ha now lost every single milestone match he has played, for club and country.
Elsewhere in the competition, Ireland will hope to secure the Triple Crown as thy host Scotland in the Aviva. If they were to win with a bonus point, and France lost to England later in the day, Ireland would win the Six Nations.
However, France look on track for a Grand Slam, which would secure them the Six Nations title for the first time since 201o.
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