Wales player ratings vs Italy: 2025 Six Nations

Saturday, 08 February 2025 at 16:07

byHarry Tovey

Wales player ratings vs Italy as Warren Gatland's men slumped to a record-breaking seventh straight Six Nations defeat in Rome.

Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

Wales' miserable Six Nations campaign took another nosedive as they were beaten 22-15 by Italy in Rome.

This latest loss extends their grim losing streak, with their last win coming way back in the 2023 World Cup pool stages. It's a tough start to the tournament for a side desperately searching for form.

Ange Capuozzo's brilliant finish gave Italy a lead they never looked like losing at the Stadio Olimpico, leaving Wales with little hope of a comeback.

Despite a late surge from Wales, which included a driving line-out try from Aaron Wainwright, a penalty try, and two yellow cards for Italy – who ended the match with just 13 players – it was all too little, too late.

Wales' indiscipline proved costly yet again, as they slumped to a 14th consecutive defeat, their worst ever losing streak. To make matters worse, the loss saw them drop to their lowest-ever world ranking of 12th, further increasing the heat on under-fire head coach Warren Gatland.

Scroll down for Wales player ratings Italy:

Italy: 22

Tries: Ange Capuozzo (19')
Cons: Tommaso Allan (20')
Pens: Tommaso Allan (06', 28', 33', 60',73')

Wales: 15

Tries: Aaron Wainwright (68'), Penalty(78')
Cons: Penalty (78')
Pens: Ben Thomas (16')

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Wales player ratings vs Italy:

15. Blair Murray – 4.5

After Liam Williams dropped out due to a knee injury, Murray entered the starting XV for only his fifth international cap. The 23-year-old started at fullback back in the Autumn against South Africa. At the beginning of the second half, he showed off his speed and put in a great kick, but like the afternoon’s theme, nothing seemed to be coming off the Welsh attack. He was also decent under the high ball and made 2 line breaks.

14. Tom Rogers – 4

He was probably one of the standout performers in Wales’ last outing against France, with his biggest strength being under the high ball. Still, the Azzurri must have caught onto that and pressurised the 26-year-old under the high ball at every given opportunity. He was replaced close to the closing moments as Josh Hathaway came on for him.

13. Nick Tompkins – 3

Tompkins went off for a HIA on 15 minutes and was replaced by Josh Hathaway but returned to the field of play 10 minutes later. At times, he was one of the leading ball carriers, but his biggest flop this week was making unnecessary passes that put the pressure straight back onto his side, which resulted in the 29-year-old scoring so low.

12. Eddie James – 4

James got his first start this afternoon for Wales. The 22-year-old, who plays in the United Rugby Championship with the Scarlets, has earned three caps off the bench for Wales, with his only start being against Queensland Reds in an uncapped match last summer. However, the big ball carrier got the nod and tried to make the most of his opportunity. He ran some great lines at times but didn’t do anything that caught the eye, which is a shame as he has some great attributes but didn't get the opportunity to show them.

11. Josh Adams – 3

After hitting a milestone last timeout against France, Adams probably was looking for a much better performance than last week in Paris. He did have two opportunities from kicks in behind but, again, didn’t see much of the ball. The 29-year-old was also awarded a yellow card on 58 minutes for making contact with Paolo Garbisi’s head, perhaps he can count himself lucky that it wasn’t a red.

10. Ben Thomas – 3

There were talks of young Dan Edwards getting the nod for the ten jersey after Owen Watkin went off injured last weekend. With that, there was a sense of expectation that Thomas would start at his beloved twelve position. However, it wasn't the best of performances from the Cardiff Rugby player as, at times again, there was aimless kicking, and perhaps that was the main reason for his early replacement in the second half. There will be questions again about Thomas and whether he should still be starting in the ten jerseys come the Ireland game in two weeks.

9. Tomos Williams – 4.5

He tried to work his magic by exploiting gaps behind the host’s defence, but it was similar to last week as nothing seemed to come off. He was trying to keep the momentum going when the visitors had the ball in hand by being quick around the breakdown but never really got going.

8. Taulupe Faletau – 5

Faletau wasn’t involved in last week’s 43-0 drumming against France as he had a knee problem. He played his first match for Wales since October 2023, with injury being the primary factor in his absence from the international stage. With the right knee heavily tapped up, it must be said it was a welcome return for the 34-year-old. He’s known for being a big ball carrier, and that is backed up by 13 carries through the 80 minutes.

7. Jac Morgan – 6

Unlike last week, it was quiet from the Osprey's man, but he still set the tone in defence with some big hits early in the encounter. He continues to shine in this poor Welsh side; he just needs more players to follow suit.

6. James Botham – 4

Like many in this player ratings, Botham had a quiet game and could not make much of an impact. He was great physically in defence and at times around the breakdown area. I just wanted to see more from the 26-year-old who has a bright future in this Welsh team.

5. Freddie Thomas – 4

With Dafydd Jenkins dropping out of the starting line-up due to illness, Thomas who made his debut for Wales in this fixture last year, was thrown straight in at the deep end. He was busy, which was nearly awarded with a try, but it was ruled out after a TMO check. The reason that he has a low score as at times he was poor at lineout time.

4. Will Rowlands – 4

Replaced early into the second half by Teddy Williams, it was another wholehearted performance by the 33-year-old. He didn’t do anything eye-catching but was decent in defence.

3. Henry Thomas – 3

The Italian pack was strong, and after last week’s decent showing at scrum time, it must be said that it wasn’t the best of afternoon's for the front row. At times they were physically outmatched, with Thomas giving away some penalties, which helped the hosts with momentum.

2. Evan Lloyd – 3

He wasn't firing his arrows at the lineout, which ultimately let the 23-year-old down as the hosts used those errors as a catalyst to their attacking game. However, in attack and defence, he was solid.

1. Gareth Thomas – 3.5

Last week, Thomas played a brilliant game, but with the scrum not functioning in the same way, he didn’t shine so brightly this week. He carried well but with the performance at scrum time that resulted in him having a low score.

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee – 3

17. Nicky Smith – 3

18. Keiron Assiratti – 3

19. Teddy Williams – 4

20. Aaron Wainwright – 5

21. Rhodri Williams – 3.5

22. Dan Edwards – 3.5

23. Josh Hathaway – 3

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