Chris Davey’s Wales Under-21 side got back to their winning ways with a 49-17 mauling of Italy at Eugene Cross Park on Friday night.
Centre Gavin Evans opened the scoring for the home side and Wales added another five tries as Italians limited themselves to penalty goals and a massive dropped goal by centre Nicola Pauin.
Wales fly-half Lee Thomas was in good form with the boot and the Italian resistance was ended late in the first half when huge No 8 Gavin Quinnell – “little” brother of Scott and Craig – went over in the corner for his second try in as many matches for the U-21 side.
Three players – Wales prop John Yapp and Italians Giulio Toniolatti and Fabio Stibamo – spent time in the sin-bin, but the match was played in good spirits.
Wales finish fourth in the final Six Nations table, with Italy at the bottom, while England matched Wales’ efforts last year by winning both the Under-21 title and the Grand Slam by beating France.
Wales Under-21: L Andrews (Cardiff), M Nutthall (Celtic Warriors), G Evans (Llanelli), L Thomas (Pontypridd/Warriors), J Wellwood (London Wasps), M Jones (Neath), R Rees (Swansea), J Yapp (Blues), K Crawford (Ebbw Vale/Dragons), C Griffiths (Ospreys), J Mills (Bath), R Dale (Newport), G Quinnell (Llanelli), R Pugh (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: I George (Newport), W Kay (Newcastle), C Martenko (Pontypridd), J Merriman (Gloucester), J Ireland (Cross Keys), N MacLeod (Cardiff/Blues), R Payne (Newport).
Italy Under-21: Assandri, Nitoglia, Chillon / Rebecchini, Pavin, Spadaro, Marcato, Toniolatti, Vigne-Donati, Ghiraldini, Staibano, Nicol, Bernabo / Reato, Leonardi, Barbieri, Zanni.
Replacements: Milani, Grosso, Coletti, Reato / Bernabo, Pitton
