Gareth Davies, George North and Justin Tipuric each scored a second-half try as Wales came from behind to beat Italy and clinch fifth place in the Autumn Nations Cup.
Wales made a rapid start and led 14-0 thanks to tries from Kieran Hardy and Sam Parry but Italy responded and moved into a one-point lead thanks to tries from Marco Zanon and Johan Meyer.
But replacement scrum-half Davies, veteran North and flanker Tipuric crossed in the second half at Parc y Scarlets to beat the Azzurri for the second time in 2020.
FAST-STARTING WALES PEGGED BACK
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac lost impressive centre Johnny Williams before the match after he suffered a calf injury in the captain’s run, with Jonathan Davies brought in to replace him.
And Wales made a bright start, punching through for their first try within seven minutes when Tipuric made a burst through the Italian line, threw a dummy and then set up scrum-half Hardy for his first Wales try.
After a scrappy start, Wales soon grew in confidence and added a second in the 18th minute when hooker Parry powered over from close range after the hosts were camped on the Italy line.
There was a cost to the move though, with full-back Liam Williams forced off through injury and he was replaced by Ioan Lloyd, on for just his second cap.
Italy regrouped and won a penalty inside the Wales half following a strong period of possession, which resulted in a Paolo Garbisi penalty.
Italy then won a turnover inside their own half as Wales grew visibly frustrated and they scored their first try shortly after as Carlo Canna’s cute kick through was perfectly weighted for centre Zanon to dot down.
Italy looked like taking the lead before half time when they again turned Wales over in their own half and counter-attacked, with scrum-half Stephen Varney galloping clear.
Josh Adams got back to tackle him but was sent to the sin-bin for putting his hands on the ground and not the ball in the ruck, leaving Garbisi to kick a penalty and reduce the gap to one point.
DAVIES AND NORTH END AZZURRI CHARGE
The half-time break allowed Wales a chance to re-set and they came back out and scored the first points of the second half through fly-half Callum Sheedy’s penalty.
But Italy still had the momentum and, just before Adams was due to be reintroduced, they scored a second try when winger Luca Sperandio found flanker Meyer on the right wing and he powered past Lloyd and dotted down.
Garbisi’s missed conversion left Italy 18-17 up but Wales regained the lead just before the hour-mark as replacement scrum-half Gareth Davies took a hand-off from Taulupe Faletau and sprinted through a gap to score from 30 metres out.
Sheedy landed the conversion to make it 24-18 but were instantly under pressure again after Louis-Rees Zammit was penalised for tackling a player in the air. However, Italy lost the ball in the Wales 22 as Braam Steyn knocked on.
And Wales put the game beyond doubt shortly after as they turned Wales over inside the Azzurri’s half and moved the ball right where Jonah Holmes almost took it to the line.
North was on hand to pick it up and drive across for his 41st Wales try, moving him second on the overall list, and his 10th against Italy.
Wales added further gloss to the score when fly-half Sheedy timed a perfect pass to Faletau, who sprinted free down the left and pass outside to the free Tipuric to score.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
It appeared Italy were on-track for their first ever away win against Wales until Gareth Davies crossed mid-way through the second half.
The scrum-half waltzed his way through, showing a clear pair of heels to the Azzurri defence to put Wales 24-18 ahead and into a lead they would not surrender.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Taulupe Faletau has gradually improved throughout the Autumn Nations Cup and he was immense against Italy.
The No.8 was everywhere, making tackles and carrying the ball willingly, slowly grinding down Italy and helping Wales recover from a one-point deficit to win.
