Italy 22-15 Wales: Warren Gatland’s aspect undergo 14th Test defeat in a row – elevating fears of a second successive Six Nations picket spoon
The image of a hooded Warren Gatland sheltering from the relentlessness of the Roman rain will likely be the one which defines his awful second tenure as Wales head coach.
Because after this defeat by Italy took Gatland’s already-record losing run to 14 Tests, it now feels close to certain he will depart his role at the end of this Six Nations.
Welsh teams used to hammer Italy. Now, after yet another defeat, they have dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings and look set for a second consecutive Championship wooden spoon. Some of Rome’s oldest buildings are nearly 2,000 years old and for Wales fans, it’s beginning to feel like it’s that long since their side last won a game.
The country’s loyal supporters deserve better. They packed the Spanish Steps on Saturday, singing traditional choral songs after travelling in huge numbers to Rome.
Sadly, there was once again nothing for them to cheer about.
Wales should not be this bad.
Wales’ dismal start to the Six Nations continue as they were defeated by Italy on Saturday
The hosts ran out 22-15 winners to mark back-to-back victories at the Stadio Olimpico
Warren Gatland’s side have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup, with their winless streak approaching 500 days
They have young players of talent, but the truth is that Gatland and his staff’s underwhelming coaching of them has left them looking clueless.
The most depressing aspect of this result is that Italy didn’t have to do a lot to win. Once again, Wales offered nothing in attack.
Their tactics and discipline were substandard. Their kicking game was poor.
When Ben Thomas put boot to ball, he did so far too deep. The result was that often his kicks were excessively long, meaning Welsh runners could not compete for possession.
Saturday marked 490 days since Wales’ last international win which came at the 2023 World Cup. It is hard to escape the feeling Wales need a total coaching reshuffle.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s hierarchy was here in Rome. They are unlikely to remove Gatland from his position midway through the Six Nations, but it is now close to certain they will do so come the tournament’s end. That’s because the brutal statistics now show that in his 26 games since returning to the Wales job, Gatland has now managed only six wins.
While Liam Williams’ late withdrawal due to a knee injury was expected, the pre-match loss of the ill Dafydd Jenkins was not and was a real blow given his importance to the Welsh line-out. Heavy pre-match rain at the Stadio Olimpico meant the set-piece became more important than usual, making the absence of giant lock Jenkins highly significant.
He was replaced in the starting side by Freddie Thomas, with Teddy Williams coming on to the bench. It was unsurprising to see Italy immediately target the Welsh line-out in what were incredibly difficult conditions. Wales hooker Evan Lloyd was under pressure straight away. Tommaso Allan’s penalty opened the scoring.
Ben Thomas’ kicking repeatedly failed to find their target as Wales struggled to mount effective offence
Gatland’s second stint as the Wales head coach is now virtually assured to be over after the tournament
Gatland had said his team were guilty of overplaying in their 43-0 round-one hammering by France. As a result, Wales were always going to kick more in Rome. And the wet weather meant the visitors put boot to ball regularly. Wales’ first moment of promise came when Tomos Williams cross-kicked to Josh Adams, but the wing couldn’t collect.
After failing to score in a Test for the first time since 2007 in France, Wales were relieved to get on the board through three points from Thomas.
His kick came after centre Nick Tompkins was temporarily forced off for a head injury assessment after taking a heavy hit, leaving Adams to move to centre alongside Eddie James.
Josh Hathaway came on to the wing. Wales were reshuffling everywhere you looked.
And soon they were behind. With a penalty advantage following a strong scrum surge, Paolo Garbisi dummied and sent a wonderful kick through. Ange Capuozzo dotted down.
It was the game’s first moment of real class and Allan added the extras.
With their scrum on top, Italy were also gaining an advantage in the kicking game with their giant forward Sebastian Negri impressing. The rain worsened.
And Wales, crucially, started to cough up breakdown penalties – allowing Allan to kick another six points. Adams again couldn’t make the most of another good Tomos Williams kick through, but Italy deserved to lead 16-3 at the break.
Wales made a number of tactical changes during the early stages but failed to seize control of the game
The visitors reduced the deficit late on but were ultimately unable to avoid yet another defeat
Liam Williams’ replacement Blair Murray scorched through midfield early in the second half, his break coming after Gatland replaced his entire front row.
Thomas was also then replaced, Dan Edwards coming on at No 10. You had to feel for the Cardiff man, whose best position is clearly inside centre.
Italy’s scrum stayed on top. Wales’ penalty count mounted. The only surprise was that Allan missed two penalty chances to extend the Italian lead, even if the second was difficult. Wales assistant Jonathan Humphreys held his head in his hands in the coaching box.
Even the presence of the great Taulupe Faletau, back in the side for the first time since his country last won a Test at the 2023 World Cup, couldn’t help Wales.
And when Adams was yellow carded for making head-on-head contact with Garbisi, the game was up, if it hadn’t been already. Allan kicked another three just to make sure.
Gatland’s hands were folded. He looked frustrated at what he was seeing. Not all of Welsh rugby’s ills are his fault, but the lack of any on-field coherence is.
Wales might yet spring what would be a huge surprise by beating one of Ireland, Scotland or England in their three remaining matches, but that looks unlikely. After the last of those games, a coaching change must happen for the good of the Welsh game.
The late drama shouldn’t detract from the fact Wales didn’t deserve to win.
Freddie Thomas had a try ruled out, but then Welsh replacement Aaron Wainwright crossed with Edwards’ kick hitting the post. Allan’s fifth penalty made the game safe, but the kick was needed as Italy saw replacements Marco Riccioni and Dino Lamb yellow carded in the final few minutes, allowing Wales a penalty try.
