Scrum half, Treorchy’s Tom Williams was just one of the players who visibly grew into his jersey during the game.
“It was a good way to start the Six Nations, the boys played well,” said Williams, who now plays Principality Premiership rugby for Pontypridd.
“At this level of rugby, it takes time to break teams down but by the last 20 minutes we looked comfortable.”
Wales scored three tries in the game, through Scarlets and Llanelli wing Joshua Adams, senior Wales, Neath and Ospreys wing Dafydd Howells and Dragons and Bedwas back row James Benjamin, with three penalties and a conversion for Newport and Dragons outside half Ethan Davies.
“The pitch held up well and we wanted to play some rugby so we are pleased to have got some tries,” added Williams, who admitted to having relished the fresh challenge of international Under 20 rugby.
“It was a big step up from the rugby I’ve played before but once I got used to it, it was really enjoyable. Ireland will be a step up again next week, they will be tough opposition, but we are looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, RGC centre Harri Evans was overwhelmed by the support at his home ground.
“It might be a cliché but I can’t put into words what it felt like to run out onto the pitch with that crowd cheering us on,” he said.
“It was an amazing experience, I loved it. I don’t often get emotional but I was close to tears during the anthem.
“It’s difficult to analyse the game at the moment as it’s a bit of a blur, but we will come back in on Monday, review what needs to be done before Ireland and get stuck into our preparation.”
Despite Adams’ early try, two Davies penalties were Wales’ only other scores in the first half and Italy came back to within two points at the break with Byron Hayward’s youngsters needing to regroup at half time.
“Italy came out all guns blazing to be fair and pushed us hard in the first half,” Evans added.
“But we got together at half time and came back out with an idea that we would keep Italy to single figures, which we did. They hardly came into our half and they didn’t score, plus we put some good moves together and scored some pleasing tries.
“We’re a bunch of young lads and a lot of the group got their first caps on Friday so I think we did well considering we are a new squad.
“However, we know we’ll have areas to work on before we travel to Ireland and we’re not afraid to do that.”
