ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Under the rain the heart beats strong,” Antonello Venditti sang. And it was precisely at the Stadio Olimpico, always frequented by the Roman singer-songwriter of the Giallorossi faith, that Italrugby broke the ice in the Six Nations 2025 by overcoming under the deluge a Wales unrecognizable compared to the versions offered in recent years. It ended 22-15 for coach Quesada’s Azzurri, who redeemed a dull showing in their debut in Scotland and took advantage of their debut on friendly ground to win their first match of this tournament. For the third day, Lamaro and his teammates will take on France on Sunday, Feb. 23, again at the Olympic Stadium, obviously hoping for an encore. Bad weather does not dampen the enthusiasm of the Azzurri fans and of an Italy eager to forget the bad performance with the Highlanders. First skirmishes between the kickers with Allan and Thomas taking advantage of their respective punishments (6′ and 17′), Italy is orderly and superior at the scrum, so much so as to draw the first goal at 20′ with Capuozzo, who crushes in the corner taking advantage of a kick by Garbisi. Allan converted as an authentic sniper. The Azzurri know how to stem the reaction of the Red Dragons, who due to a ‘forward’ do not take advantage of at least three clear chances to hurt (a resounding one with Adams, who wastes a kissing assist from Williams). Garbisi misses a drop, Allan on 30′ is still accurate from the square as well as on 34′: Italy ahead 16-3 over Wales at the end of the first half. Changes at the start of the second half, with Allan missing square and Page-Relo rattling a post from distance, and Wales pressing after changing the entire front line. In the 60th minute, the Britons remain down to 14 for a yellow to Adams for a headbutt on Garbisi, a caution that could become a ‘red’. Allan stretched the gap on a free kick in 61′ (19-3), the visitors gave it their all and in 70′ Wainwright evened the goal tally by exploiting the work of the British scrum. There is no Williams’ conversion: 19-8 for the Azzurri, who suffer but at 74′ get back to +14 thanks to an Allan square. The final is convulsive: England’s Carley waves yellow first to Riccioni, then to Lamb, punishing the illicit tricolor defense with a technical try. Wales then at -7 and with numerical superiority to exploit in a handful of seconds that, however, passed quickly and without damage for Italy: a recovery by Zuliani put a de facto end to hostilities, with the Azzurri bringing home a precious 22-15 that is worth the first center in the Six Nations 2025.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
