A last gasp converted try by winger Leonardo Sarto meant Ireland went into their game at Murrayfield against Scotland requiring a victory by 21 points while England required a 17 points win at Twickenham against France to deny Sam Warburton’s men the title.
Wales were one of four teams in the hunt on the final day of action but they began proceedings with the worst points difference but a second half visceration of Italy ensured England and Irish fans would have to endure a torrid afternoon’s action before the title was decided.
The first half showed no indication of what was to come with Italy taking the game to Wales. They were only one point behind at the break but once the teams turned around at 13-14 there was only one team in it – and they were wearing red.
Italy unravelled in the second half with their scrum falling apart, the line-out crumbling and missed tackles and poor discipline ensuring a rampant Wales were always on the front foot in a one-sided second half.
Italy weren’t helped by two yellow cards with Andrea Masi and Quintin Geldenhuys spending time on the naughty boy’s chair and Wales made them pay with a devastating display of running rugby.
Wales ran in seven unanswered tries before Sarto’s intervention on the stroke of full time with North’s hat-trick coming inside a 10 minute spell.
Liam Williams opened the floodgates prior to North’s brilliant treble when he took advantage of dozy Italian defence when Rhys Webb took a quick tap close to the Italy try-line.
Webb, Sam Warburton and Scott Williams piled on the agony for the retreating Italians in a second half avalanche of tries before Leonardo Sarto reduced the deficit with what could prove to be a significant score in the outcome of the Six Nations.
The result leaves Wales two clear of England and Ireland at the summit, holding a 16-point advantage over the former on points difference and 20 over the latter, who face Scotland later in the day.
