The Italians were cynical in defence and deserved several more than the two yellow cards they received. The win was Wales U21’s third of the campaign, with the young Dragons dominating the opening exchanges; especially up front.Â
Wales U21were rewarded in the tenth minute when Rhys Shellard was driven over the try-line. Blues winger Chris Czekaj took advantage of Tom Riley’s clever pass to add a second, but the opening half was more about Wales U21 ruining try-scoring opportunities, as opposed to completing them.
Shellard added a second to give the home side a match-winning 21-0 lead at half time, but the loss of skipper Tom Smith with knee damage had Davey cursing ahead of the Championship finale that was to follow with France U21 a week later. Wales U21 scrum-half Martin Roberts opened the second-half scoring with a snap dropped goal, before Italy U21 finally troubled the scorers through a Paolo Busi penalty goal.
Italy U21 skipper Nicola Cattina found himself in the sin-bin after Irish referee George Clancy became tired of the visitors’ professional fouls, and Wales U21 lock Will Jones scored his side’s fourth try from the next movement. Roberts added a fifth from close range, but Wales U21 should have hit at least sixty points in this match.