The result means that Diego Sacca’s have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign in Parma after previously registering wins against Scotland and Ireland.

Tries rained in from Elena Errichiello, Vittoria Zanette, Alia Bitonci, Desiree Spinelli and Greta Copat in the comprehensive win.

But while Italy concluded the fixture as victors, it was Liza Burgess’ Wales who entered half-time as the happiest, leading 14-5.

Repelling wave after wave of Italian attacks in the opening exchanges, Wales reaped the rewards for their steadfast defence when Maisie Davies crashed over the whitewash in the 19th minute.

Opting to tap and go after a high tackle, red jerseys poured toward the Italy try line and Davies made the most of her team’s momentum to burrow over from close range and break the deadlock.

The loosehead prop was among the tries again just seven minutes later, where a knock-on from full-back Rubina Grassi again handed Wales good territory.

Moving the ball from right to left, a strong carry from Kelsie Webster kept the move alive for her side, with Davies on hand to finish off the ambitious piece of play.

Frustrated by having not made the most of their early dominance, Italy turned their attentions to getting on the scoreboard before half-time.

With three minutes left to play of the half they finally get their first try of the match.

Minutes after being held up over the line, the hosts found a way over the whitewash through Errichiello, who also went low to dot down.

Emboldened by Errichiello’s score on the brink of the break, Italy came out for the second half as an entirely different proposition.

Smothering their opponents, Zanette scored her third try in as many matches 50 minutes in.

Alia Bitonci’s 56th minute score handed Italy the lead for the first time in the match.

Benefitting from a hard carry from inside centre Giada Corradini, the scrum-half picked from the base of the ruck before getting the ball across the try line in contact.

To deliver a hammer blow to Wales’ hopes of a comeback, Spinelli extended Italy’s lead to 12 points.

Constantly knocking on the door of the try line with five minutes of lung-searing pick and go’s, when Wales failed to roll away Bitonci tapped the ball quickly and distributed to her right, with the replacement hooker the beneficiary of her half-back’s quick thinking.

As the clock ticked towards full-time Wales looked to break the run of unanswered points and bring themselves within one converted try.

After several misfires, Nel Metcalfe was sent over on the right wing after regathering the ball from a fumbled lineout drive.

Failing to add the conversion, Welsh hopes of a draw were dashed when Italy took the ball back from the restart and marched beneath the posts to score through Copat.