27-04-2025
Wales Women suffer record defeat to Italy and pick up second wooden spoon in a row
Wales Women suffer record defeat to Italy and pick up second wooden spoon in a row
Wales were comprehensively beaten 44-12 by Italy Women in Parma.
Georgia Evans of Wales charges forward
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
Wales Women have been condemned to the wooden spoon for the second year in succession after they were comprehensively beaten 44-12 by Italy Women in Parma.
Sean Lynn's side have finished bottom of the Six Nations without a single win to their name and will have to improve significantly if they are to stand a chance of being competitive at the World Cup later this year.
A promising first-half performance wasn't enough as Wales were taken to the cleaners after the break in what was a record defeat against Italy.
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Italy scored six tries in total as Francesca Granzotto (twice), Sofia Stefan, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi and Auro Muzzo touched down, while Michela Sillari kicked 14 points.
Wales could only muster two tries courtesy of Kate Williams and Gwenllian Pyrs, while Keira Bevan kicked two points. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Wales made the perfect start and dominated the opening stages. They claimed the game's opening try when Williams powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
But the hosts hit straight back with both Sara Seye and Elisa Giordano breaking through tackles to put Stefan over for a try which Sillari converted. Italy looked dangerous with ball in hand and were winning the collisions as Sillari extended their lead with three points from the kicking tee.
But Wales nudged back ahead on the stroke of half-time when Pyrs smashed her way over the line for a try which Bevan converted to fire the visitors into a 12-10 lead at the interval.
However, things went downhill after the break as the Italians dominated proceedings to outclass Wales. The hosts took the lead through Sillari's boot with Granzotto touching down at the corner after some slick handling from Italy.
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There was to be no let up for Wales as Harlequins second-row Sara Tounesi powered through a couple of tackles to set the platform for Tourani to score a try which Sillari once again converted. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
A stunning 50/22 by Minuzzi gave Italy field position before the elusive full-back hit a tremendous angle to score Italy's bonus-point try. As if things couldn't get any worse for Wales lock Natalia John got sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Italy hooker Desiree Spinelli.
Soon after Granzotto claimed her second try with a terrific opportunistic score Muzzo rubbed further salt into Wales' wounds with a sixth try for the Italians. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
