How they rated
15. LIAM WILLIAMS 6
Looked up for it as he showed good hands to find Louis Rees-zammit. Minutes later Williams came up with a passable impression of a missile to effect a ruck clear-out.
Sadly, injury forced him off after just 17 minutes.
14. JOSH ADAMS 5.5
Didn’t have one run in opening half and found himself yellow-carded after infringing at a ruck before half-time. He’d saved a try with his tackle a split-second before, mind. Was involved in George North’s try.
13. GEORGE NORTH 8
A strong day’s work crowned by his 10th try against Italy.
There were a couple of breakdown penalties against his name, but North also produced some quality moments in defence, ran hard yards in attack and didn’t shirk anything.
12. JONATHAN DAVIES 7.5
No Hollywood stuff, but some first-rate grafting and immaculate cover defence from the late replacement for Johnny Williams.
One counter-ruck won Wales a penalty in the second half and Davies smothered a couple of thrusts when Wales were down to 14 men. Also showed composure in build-up to North’s score.
11. LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT 5.5
He tried hard to get involved but didn’t stay wide enough as Italy crossed for their second try.
It said much for his character, though, that he didn’t hide.
There was a streaking run from deep at one point and a couple of decent kick clearances.
10. CALLUM SHEEDY 6
Missed touch from an early penalty and initially found it hard to ignite the Wales backs as he ran sideways and shipped ball on.
But he stuck at it and produced a lovely pass in build-up to Tipuric’s try. Also nailed his goals.
9. KIERAN HARDY 5.5
A surprise choice at No. 9, perhaps, but he supported well to score a try and stayed busy enough without lighting up Parc y Scarlets.
Replaced on 49 minutes.
1. NICKY SMITH 7
Started with two nice, twisting carries and followed up by by winning a scrum penalty.
Smith also made his tackles in a display which made you wonder why he hadn’t been involved more during this campaign.
2. SAM PARRY 6
If the line-out operation didn’t exactly go like clockwork early on, Parry made his presence felt at the breakdown and used his strength to score his first Test try. A largely encouraging first Wales start.
3. TOMAS FRANCIS 7
Wales have had their scrum problems in this campaign, but Francis anchored the set-piece well this time and also helped Parry over for his try.
Also did a bit of freelance bodyguard work for Louis Rees-zammit after the Italians wanted to get up close and personal with the young wing following an illegal tackle.
4. WILL ROWLANDS 5.5
Brought in to carry because no Welsh forward bar Taulupe Faletau ran much with the ball against England. Rowlands made eight charges forward in the opening 40 minutes but was met solidly on the gain-line every time. Subbed on 53 minutes.
5. ALUN WYN JONES (C) 7
Nicked two line-outs early on and looked to make ground with ball in hand.
There was a lot of trademark Jones work at rucks and mauls. Left the field injured on 62 minutes.
6. JAMES BOTHAM 5
He’d banged in two fine performances on the bounce and put in a few good hits here without truly impacting the game.
Taken off on 49 minutes.
7. JUSTIN TIPURIC 9
His personal tachometer must have been under severe pressure as he produced a wonderfully industrious display.
There was composure and skill to set up an early try and minutes later Tipuric stole ball at a ruck.
The non-stop Osprey rounded off his effort with a try.
8. TAULUPE FALETAU 9.5
Magnificent Test. Faletau carried impressively in heavy traffic and delivered the beautifully timed pass that put Tipuric through a hole in the run-up to Wales’s first try. Also, set up Gareth Davies’s score and Tipuric’s try late on.
This was the Wales No. 8 at his world-class best.
REPLACEMENTS 8
If Ioan Lloyd blew hot and cold, stepping well but experiencing the odd glitch in defence, Gareth Davies made a major impact and scored a try. Jonah Holmes ran strongly and Cory Hill and Aaron Wainwright also showed up well.
Kieran Hardy.