Wales v Italy live Six Nations updates
Wales have beaten Italy 29-17 in Rome to record their first win of this year's Six Nations.
The game was billed as one of the most important in recent Welsh rugby history, as Warren Gatland's side looked to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon and the prospect of a first Six Nations whitewash in 20 years.
But the bonus point victory has eased the pressure on the squad, who had already been comprehensively beaten by Ireland, Scotland and England earlier in the championship as woes off the field were compounded by disastrous results on it.
Questions were asked prior to kick-off whether Gatland's ripped-up side, which featured the likes of Rhys Webb making his first Six Nations start in six years, would be able to deal with the pressure of the occasion, but the visitors started the contest brightly in the dazzling Italian sunshine.
Wales raced into an early lead as Owen Williams slotted a simple penalty before Rio Dyer became the grateful recipient of a fortunate bounce from a speculative Rhys Webb kick to cross for the opening try of the afternoon.
Gatland's side did not sit back, either, with Liam Williams grabbing their second try minutes later as he rode five challenges to finish a fantastic solo effort.
Italy had a number of chances to get themselves back into the contest but were left ruing missed opportunities as they were frustrated by poor passing and a solid defensive effort from Wales.
The visitors got their third score of the afternoon shortly before half-time, as they were awarded a penalty try after Lorenzo Cannone brought down a powerful maul driven by Wales captain Ken Owens.
But while Wales started the second half with a man advantage as Cannone was sent to the bin, Italy came out fighting with Sebastian Negri scoring a deserved try for the hosts moments after the break.
Wales kept their lead, however, with Taulupe Faletau crossing after some brilliant work from the impressive work, while Pierre Bruno was also sent to the bin after colliding with Wyn Jones.
The Italians continued to threaten and got a second try through Ignacio Brex to make Gatland sweat. But Wales held firm and breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle as they wrapped up the much-needed win.
Live updates below:
16:46Katie Sands
We are due to hear from Warren Gatland in his live post-match press conference. Stay tuned for live updates...
16:16John Jones
The final whistle goes and Wales breathe a massive sigh of relief - it's a first win of the Six Nations for them.
They were pushed hard by Italy in the second half with the hosts piling on the pressure with two tries, but they kept their cool and now look to have avoided the dreaded wooden spoon.
75 MINSJohn Jones
Scott Baldwin is forced off with injury just minutes after coming on for Wales.
The man he initially replaced, Ken Owens, comes back on in his place.
Italy 17-29 Wales
74 MINSJohn Jones
Wales are looking shaky here as Italy go in search of another try and the visitors are penalised in a dangerous area.
Another Italian score would set us up for a nerve-wracking final five minutes.
Italy 17-29 Wales
70 MINSJohn Jones
Meanwhile, Ken Owens is off for Wales with Scott Baldwin coming on.
Italy 17-29 Wales
68 MINSJohn Jones
Italy have another try as Brex gratefully receives an offload from Bruno to cross by the posts.
The score is converted and Gatland may be sweating now. Let's not forget how close Italy have pushed teams so far this Six Nations.
Italy 17-29 Wales
65 MINSJohn Jones
A little scuffle breaks out between the two sides as Fusco takes on Mason Grady.
Damon Murphy has a word with both captains and we're back underway.
Italy 10-29 Wales
63 MINSJohn Jones
Liam Williams heads off having been involved in a heavy mid-air collision with Paolo Garbisi. He's replaced by George North.
Italy's captain Michele Lamaro is really not happy with referee Damon Murphy and lets the Australian official know it.
Italy 10-29 Wales
60 MINSJohn Jones
Tommaso Menoncello looks in real discomfort as he limps off the field having gone down holding his knee. Luca Morisi replaces him.
Cannonne is also off for Edoardo Iachizzi while Wales have brought on Tommy Reffell for Jac Morgan.
Italy 10-29 Wales
57 MINSJohn Jones
Varney is off for Alessandro Fusco.
Wales' man advantage is over as Pierre Bruno also returns to the field after his 10 minutes in the bin.
Italy 10-29 Wales
55 MINSJohn Jones
Louis Rees-Zammit is on for Josh Adams, while Tomas Francis makes way for Dillon Lewis.
Rhys Webb is also off for Tomos Williams. He's been fantastic today.
Meanwhile, Manuel Zuliani and Luca Bigi have both entered proceedings for Italy, with Negri and Nicotera going off.
Italy 10-29 Wales
50 MINSJohn Jones
Fantastic work from Rhys Webb who bursts free before unselfishly finding Taulupe Faletau to score. That's the bonus point for the visitors.
Williams adds the conversion, and Wales' lead is stretched to 19 points.
Italy 10-29 Wales
47 MINSJohn Jones
Josh Adams looks certain to cross in the corner but is thwarted by a brilliant piece of defending from Varney, who holds him up.
Wales have been buoyed by that yellow card for Bruno and are looking to make their man advantage count.
Italy 10-22 Wales
46 MINSJohn Jones
Wyn Jones is down after taking one to the jaw from the forearm of Bruno. The Italian winger is adamant that it's just a hand off, but he's sent to the bin for the offence.
It was nearly a red for Bruno, had it not been for the intervention of assistant ref Karl Dickson.
Meanwhile, Gareth Thomas is on for the dazed Jones.
Italy 10-22 Wales
43 MINSKEY EVENT
A blistering start to the second half from Italy is rewarded with a try from Sebastian Negri, who collects Allan's cute chip forward to cross the line.
Allan adds the extras and Wales have been blown away in the opening few minutes of this half.
Italy 10-22 Wales
41 MINSJohn Jones
We're back underway in Rome.
Italy 3-22 Wales
15:17John Jones
What do we make of that first half then, Wales fans?
Any changes you'd make?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
15:13KEY EVENT
A positive first 40 for Wales, who will go in search of the bonus point when they return for the second half.
Early tries from Rio Dyer and Liam Williams helped Gatland's side settle, but they have found themselves under pressure from the Italians at times. The hosts, however, may be left ruing their many missed chances, while they end the half a man down.
A big second half to come for both sides.
40 MINSJohn Jones
The Italians are throwing everything they have at Wales here as they look to pull a try back before the break.
Wales haven't made it easy for themselves, conceding three penalties in quick succession, but they win one of their own to see out the half without conceding a try.
Italy 3-22 Wales
35 MINSKEY EVENT
Wales kick for the corner from a penalty. From the resulting lineout, Ken Owens collects the ball and drives a maul over the line as the Welsh players celebrate.
It's initially judged to have been held up, but after a TMO review, Lorenzo Cannone is seen to have collapsed the maul and a penalty try is given, while Cannone is yellow-carded.
Italy 3-22 Wales
14:57John Jones
Simone Ferrari makes way, with Marco Riccioni replacing him.
Italy 3-15 Wales
29 MINSJohn Jones
Owen Williams looks to slot another penalty, this time from 45 minutes.
It has the distance, but not the direction
Italy 3-15 Wales
26 MINSJohn Jones
Juan Ignacio Brex crosses after a fabulous team move from Italy but the try is ruled out after a lengthy TMO review, with the centre losing the ball forward.
Lamaro protests that Owen Williams was offside as he made the tackle on Brex, while the crowd voices their disapproval - but the decision stands.
Italy 3-15 Wales
24 MINSJohn Jones
Italy are asking questions of the Wales defence as Allan breaks free and races towards the line, but his pass to Varney is a poor one, and the hosts lose momentum.
The Italians try to revive their attack as they inch forwards, but great work at the breakdown from Liam Williams sees Wales awarded a penalty.
A real missed chance for Italy.
Italy 3-15 Wales
18 MINSKEY EVENT
A fantastic try from Liam Williams.
Wales steal possession and Taulupe Faletau finds Liam Williams on the right hand side, with the winger riding challenges from five defenders to cross the line.
However, Owen Williams fails to add the extras
Italy 3-15 Wales
16 MINSJohn Jones
Tommaso Allan gets his side's first points of the afternoon after some good work from the Italian front row.
Wales' defence had nearly been caught out moments earlier as the Italy surged forward, but a sloppy pass from Pierre Bruno evaded Edoardo Padovani on the right wing.
Italy 3-10 Wales
10 MINSKEY EVENT
Another good attacking spell from Wales with Mason Grady and Joe Hawkins among those involved.
The chance looks to have gone as Grady is hauled down but Rhys Webb fires a speculative kick forward and the bounce is kind to Rio Dyer, who collects to cross.
Williams adds the extras.
Italy 0-10 Wales
6 MINSJohn Jones
Owen Williams gives the visitors an early lead with a simple penalty.
It's been a positive start from Warren Gatland's side.
Italy 0-3 Wales
4 MINSJohn Jones
There is a sea of red shirts in the stands at the Stadio Olimpico today.
Huge effort from all those who made the trip.
Italy 0-0 Wales
2 MINSJohn Jones
Liam Williams looks to spark an early Welsh attack as he surges forward but is chopped down, with Italy winning the penalty.
Italy 0-0 Wales
