Wales suffered a second straight Women’s Six Nations whitewash as they slumped to a 43-24 defeat by Italy in Cardiff.
The visitors ran in seven tries to leave Wales marooned at the bottom of the table. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi crossed for Italy after only four minutes, but Wales led by two points at the break after tries from Courtney Keight, Carys Cox and Kelsey Jones.
However, the second half was a different story, with Italy running in four tries and Wales managing just a single score from Kayleigh Powell in the final minute.
It leaves Sean Lynn’s side still searching for a first Women’s Six Nations win under the head coach. Lynn was appointed last year, having led Gloucester-Hartpury to three successive titles in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).
Ireland, meanwhile, ran riot in the first half of their Women’s Six Nations clash with Scotland to register a 54-5 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
A record crowd of 31,294 for a standalone women’s game at the ground was treated to an eight-try rout of the Scots, whose line was breached seven times in the first half.
Back rows Brittany Hogan and Aoife Wafer led the onslaught by crossing twice each, and there were also tries for Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Robyn O’Connor, Erin King and Stacey Flood.
Fly-half Dannah O’Brien nailed all but one of the conversions as Ireland ended the tournament in fourth place, two points behind Italy and five points above Scotland in fifth.
Scotland were transformed in the second half and were rewarded for persevering until the end with a try deep into overtime by replacement hooker Aicha Sutcliffe.
PA
