Webb is wonderful as Dragons find fire
2023 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: ITALY 17 WALES 29
WALES finally relit their fire, and found their pride, as Rhys Webb led the way in what was described as the wooden spoon decider in Rome.
But it’s a fourth straight loss in this championship for Italy, who need to win in Scotland next weekend in the final round to stand a chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the standings.
The likelihood is, however, the Italians will be last for an eighth straight year in the Six Nations and the 18th time in 24 editions since joining the tournament in 2000.
Their 25th successive Six Nations home loss had its origins in another, now trademark sloppy first half, with Wales – piloted by the excellent Webb at scrum-half in his first test start in three years – soaring ahead 10-0 after 10 minutes and holding a 22-3 lead by halftime.
Wales, with Owen Williams (left) also in the thick of things, turned round with a man advantage, after Italy No.8 Lorenzo Cannone pulled down a 34th-minute maul on the try line to give away a penalty try and earn a yellow card.
The Dragons then benefitted from the 46th-minute sinbinning of home winger Pierre Bruno for leading with his left forearm into the throat ofwales propwyn Jones.webb sent in
No.8 Taulupe Faletau for the bonus-point fourth try in the 50th minute, enough to give them their first points of the championship and a first win in the second reign ofwarren Gatland after earlier losses to Ireland, Scotland and England.
“There’s still a massive amount of growth in this team, in terms of them going forward,” Gatland said of Wales, after again rotating his lineup.
“A lot of players will have learned a lot about themselves today and it wasn’t a bad Italian side out there today.”
Wales have five points and Italy are on one.wales close with a clash against France in Paris.
The Italians played some exciting stuff again, with second-half tries by flanker Sebastian Negri and centre Juan Ignacio Brex the least they deserved for matchingwales for large parts of the game at Stadio Olimpico.
Brex’s try in the 68th minute set up a frantic finale and Italy had enough possession and territory to grab two more tries and take the win but poor handling cost them dear after a slew of line breaks.
Gatland reserved special praise for Webb, who – in his first Six Nations start since 2017 – controlled the game with his kicking and made some darting breaks around the fringes.
It was the scrum-half’s kick into the left corner that got a fortunate bounce to allow Rio Dyer in for the opening try in the ninth minute.
“His decision making was excellent throughout the game,” Gatland said of Webb.
“He didn’t force anything and kept us on the front foot.”