WALES 31 ITALY 26
(at the National Ground, Cardiff)
This was the first capped match for Wales against Italy and Wales received a huge shock after coasting to a 31-6 lead. Italy scored two tries and domiated the later stages to run up 20 points without reply.
Coach Kevin Bowring put out an exciting young set of backs that included debutants Arwel Thomas, Matthew Wintle and Leigh Davies, as well as Gwyn Jones and Andrew Lewis in the pack. Davies was a teenager, being a month short of his 20th birthday.
Both fly halves – Thomas and Diego Dominguez kicked 16 points and Thomas also turned in an exciting display of running and dodging.
Wales v Italy classics: 1995