Wales unimpressive in victory

As celebrations go, Wales’ last night would not have been the most raucous. Yes, they beat Italy 26-15 to equal the country’s record of 11 successive wins but it was hardly convincing enough to pop the corks.

Coach Warren Gatland certainly was not happy, with the old enemy to face next in two weeks.

“If we play like that against England, it could be embarrassing,” Gatland said.

They will have so much to play for against their nearest and not so dearest. A mark for a new sequence will be in the offing, as will momentum towards a Grand Slam.

Yet, as Gatland signified, no one will find anything intimidating from these tapes of the game in Rome.

“There are lots of things we need to improve for England,” Gatland said. “The lineout was a bit concerning, we didn’t have enough tempo. We kept having to step away and Italy closed down that space pretty quickly.

“We all need to improve in lots of areas to beat England, they are a pretty good side at the moment.”

There was no bonus point, which would have been the minimum ambition, and there was little positivity from Gatland to take away apart from his love of the underdog role.

“A lot of people will be writing us off against England,” Gatland said. “That is a good position to be. We will go in under the radar.”

Italy did a lap of honour despite this being their 19th Six Nations defeat in a row, and when they calm down, they might realise this was a huge opportunity.

The first half was fairly predictable. Italy scrapped and bothered but took no everlasting foothold. There was a try in the 34th minute from Abraham Steyn when the openside forced his way over, but although the score was that tight, it still seemed nothing more than a mere warning shot.

With four Dan Biggar penalties, Wales went in at halftime 12-7 ahead. When the Italians fought back to stand within three points in the 43rd minute — “we had an opportunity in the second half but the energy at that time went in their favour,” said Italy coach Conor O’Shea — the Dragons’ nerves were jangling.

Italy do not look any closer to beating off the big beasts but they sure as hell can frustrate them.

This was an afternoon for Gatland and Co to forget. Yet England loom and, whatever he said, Gatland will be concerned.