Hawkins is captain fantastic as late penalty seals victory

WALES edged Italy 23-20 in an Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series thriller thanks to a late penalty from captain Joe Hawkins at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

It was a tense and at times frenetic affair in Treviso, but Wales held their nerve and will now play Pool A winners South Africa for the Summer Series title.

Wales led by a point at the first water break of the evening, with penalty kicks from Hawkins coming either side of an unconverted score for Italy’s Dewi Passarella before Lorenzo Pani added a second.

But Wales hit back immediately, and it was a particularly sweet score for prop Nathan Evans.

The tighthead had earlier been carded for collapsing at the scrum but atoned for his earlier misdemeanour with Wales’ first try which restored their lead.

Giovanni Sante then kicked Italy back in front as a topsyturvy first half neared its conclusion.

But then came a hugely significant moment as Pani was sin-binned for challenging Oli Andrew in the air as the winger attempted to gather a cross-kick.

A penalty try did not immediately follow but seven points soon did as Christ Tshiunza powered over at the second time of asking to give Wales a 20-15 lead at the break.

In the second period, nerves seeped into the contest with both sides squandering decent scoring opportunities.

Italy then ramped up the pressure, with prop Adam Williams carded for the second time in the game before Federico

Cuminetti finally broke through with 10 minutes to play.

Then with just four minutes left on the clock, and his team needing something special, captain Hawkins kicked a match-winning penalty from some 40-metres out to send his team through to the tournament showpiece.

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www. youtube.com/channel/ UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg