Wales player ratings against Italy after Warren Gatland's side lost yet again, resulting in their worst-ever Six Nations finish.
RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content
Italy clinched their most triumphant Six Nations campaign yet, leaving Wales to endure their first Wooden Spoon in over two decades following a resounding victory in Cardiff.
A try by winger Monty Ioane coupled with two penalties from Paulo Garbisi propelled Italy to an impressive 11-0 lead by halftime. Full-back Lorenzo Pani further bolstered their lead with a remarkable score, while Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo contributed with successful penalty kicks.
Despite Wales managing to respond with tries from Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands, and Mason Grady, it only served to salvage some dignity in the face of Italy's dominance.
The final scoreline of 24-21 in favour of Italy somewhat flattered Wales, with the result mirroring Italy's triumphant performance in Cardiff back in 2022.
Scroll down for Wales player ratings vs Italy.
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Wales player ratings vs Italy
15. Cameron Winnett - 5.5
Solid under the high ball in the early goings, as the match broke down into a game of kick tennis. Well timed jumps but equally well-timed hits by Louis Lynagh. Spilt the ball in contact, as Italy’s line-speed was impactful. No shout for the catch at 29 minutes, as he and Costelow fumbled the ball. Turned over on the deck at 52 minutes, as Brex halted the sudden surge of Welsh momentum.
14. Josh Adams - 6
Question marks around his 10th minute air-born catch, as he stuck out a boot. Looked to have split the Italy defence at 26 minutes, but is brought down and turned over on the deck. Chased down the kicks well and made some good hits on the Italian wings. Turned inside-out by Pani, as the fullback tore through the Welsh defence.
13. George North - 7
Saw in floods of tears during the national anthem, as he ran out for his final Wales appearence. Penalised at the deck for not releasing at 13 minutes, as Garbisi extended the score to 6-0. Showed great strength to bring Lynagh to the deck at full pelt. Won his side rare field position with a 34th minute punt. Down injured at 56 minutes after a heavy coming together with Menoncello. The most consistent option and bids farewell through injury on a difficult day.
12. Nick Tompkins - 5
Partnering up with North for the final time, the two midfielders interlinked well in their final partnership. Unforced knock-on at 16 minutes, in what was a poor error from the back of a maul. Tripped up as Ioane is gifted an immense gap to score a try. Spilled the ball once again at 38 minutes, and punched the floor in frustration. Couldn’t halt Pani’s run to the line as the fullback split through the Welsh defence. Off at 48 minutes after an uninspired outing.
11. Rio Dyer - 5.5
Lorenzo Pain glided round Dyer at 10 minutes, and needed Refell to cover into touch. Came in on the angle at 11 minutes, and was drilled to ground by two defenders. Gave away a free kick for obstruction at 13 minutes, in a harsh call by the referee that reversed a Welsh penalty. Made a good break into the back-field early in the second half. Left on the deck behind Pani, as the fullback burned passed the wing on the way to score. Swarmed by Brex at 72 minutes, as Garbisi secured the turnover for another penalty.
10. Sam Costelow - 6
Failed to find touch on his 15th minute penalty. He and Winnett bump into each other and fumble the kick return at 29 minutes. A lack of cohesion with Tomos Williams and Nick Tompkins and uninspired attacking lines. Missed a third penalty attempt to find touch, in an underwhelming effort from the boot. Off for Llyod (74).
9. Tomos Williams - 5.5
Penalised after five minutes for not releasing on the floor, as Italy take their first shot at the posts for an early lead. A mixed bag of his ball distribution tempo from the back of the breakdown, didn’t have the most consistent reception. Made a good second half break in support of Rio Dyer at 43 minutes. Tried the box kick a few too many times. So close to the try-line at 62 minutes and injured in the effort, outstanding tackle from Vintcent. (Off for Hardy, 62)
1. Gareth Thomas - 6.5
Good carry at the seventh minute, to spread the Italian defence thin. Hinging at the scrum just before the half-time break as Italy gain a territory. Frustrated after securing a ruck, only for Josh Adams to go in at the side and give away a penalty. Off for Mathias (74).
2. Elliot Dee - 7.5
Solid early line-out throws, finding the hands well at front, middle and the back. Brilliant jackal to win the ball at 15 minutes, as he was rapid over the ball. Had a change of footwear, but did not improve Wales’ scrum - wheeled on 24 minutes. Drove over for a TMO reviewed try, as he gets carried over by an Italian player for the grounding. Off for Llyod (74).
3. Dillon Lewis - 7
Great steal at the breakdown at 13 minutes, regained possession for Wales at the ruck but the call was frustratingly reversed for obstruction. Gave away a scrum penalty at 17 minutes, as the tight-head buckled under pressure. Made good tackles in the loose, halted Ross Vintcent as he built up a head of steam. Off for O’Connor (74)
4. Dafydd Jenkins - 6
Great tap tackle on Garbisi, as the fly half looked to pull the trigger on a kick into the back-field. Great passion to drive his players forward, but his side left it too little too late.
5. Adam Beard - 6
Quick over the ball at the breakdown, and helped his side win an eighth minute ruck penalty. Strong and commanding in the air, didn’t make too many errors at line-out time. Penalised at 44 minutes for a neck roll, as he halted a rare Welsh trip to the Italian 22. Off for Rowlands (51).
6. Alex Mann - 6.5
Had a brief altercation with Sebastian Negri, as the two blindsides came together. Frustrated after Italy took an 11-0 lead. Heavy carry from the 5m line that thudded around the Principality. Tackling well and chopping down the heavy ball carriers. Good turnover at 37 minutes to end a sloppy phase of repetitive spills. Off for Martin (57).
7. Tommy Reffell - 7
Tackled very well, with a relentless work rate. Incorporated good passing at the back of the set-piece as Wales tried to utilise a breakout maul. Flying into the line with no regard for his safety as he routinely put his body on the line. Often seen at the bottom of a breakdown, having made a solid number of tackles.
8. Aaron Wainwright - 6.5
Not his usual physical presence from the get go, as he gets cleared out at breakdowns and the Welsh scrum lacked power. Tries a little grubber and chase at 35 minutes that trickled into touch. Seen frustrated after Tompkins’ 38th knock-on in a strong position. Strong option in the air as Wales varied their set-piece.
Replacements:
16. Evan Lloyd - 5.5
On for Dee 74 minutes
17. Kemsley Mathias - 5.5
On for Thomas 74
18. Harri O’Connor -6
On for Lewis 74
Made his test match debut with a five minute run-out.
Made his test match debut with a five minute run-out.
19. Will Rowlands - 7
On for Beard (51)
Early involvement as he lifted the Welsh scrum, busy from the get go, as he rucked over well. Carried well and was often seen on the supporting shoulder of the ball carrier. Impressive since he came on and drove his side over for their second try.
Early involvement as he lifted the Welsh scrum, busy from the get go, as he rucked over well. Carried well and was often seen on the supporting shoulder of the ball carrier. Impressive since he came on and drove his side over for their second try.
20. Mackenzie Martin - 6.5
On for Alex Mann (57)
Solid first hit on Ioane, as he flew out of the line to bring down the powerful wing. Right involved with a brief scrap off the ball, just minutes after his introduction. Scrambled forward with the ball, and made some solid yards.
Solid first hit on Ioane, as he flew out of the line to bring down the powerful wing. Right involved with a brief scrap off the ball, just minutes after his introduction. Scrambled forward with the ball, and made some solid yards.
21. Kieran Hardy
On for Tomos Williams (62)
Jostled with Page-Relo at the side of the scrum, and teetered on giving away a pointless penalty. In front of the kicker at 69 minutes, and gave away a penalty that Garbisi slotted.
Jostled with Page-Relo at the side of the scrum, and teetered on giving away a pointless penalty. In front of the kicker at 69 minutes, and gave away a penalty that Garbisi slotted.
22. Ioan Lloyd - 6
On for Costelow (74)
Nailed the final two conversions during the appreciation of honour for George North.
Nailed the final two conversions during the appreciation of honour for George North.
23. Mason Grady - 7
On for Tompkins (48).
Began his afternoon with a high shot on Menoncello, and was lucky to avoid a yellow card.Makes ground on an early carry, as he lifted the Welsh attacking tempo. Horrible collision with Pani in midfield at 60 minutes, as he chased after a loose ball at full pelt. Played on without a HIA and scored a strong breakaway try to finish.
Began his afternoon with a high shot on Menoncello, and was lucky to avoid a yellow card.Makes ground on an early carry, as he lifted the Welsh attacking tempo. Horrible collision with Pani in midfield at 60 minutes, as he chased after a loose ball at full pelt. Played on without a HIA and scored a strong breakaway try to finish.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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