Matchday Programme Download: Wales U20 v Italy U20 (2.2MB)
Wales U20 33 Italy U20 13
The Ospreys fly-half set up Gareth Owen’s early try and booted 14 points in an excellent kicking display at Rodney Parade. Late tries by Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies sealed the victory after Filippo Guisti crashed over for the Italians.
Patrick Horgan’s side followed up a morale-boosting win over Scotland U20 a fortnight ago by getting off to a perfect start when Biggar produced a moment of magic to unlock the Italian defence in the third minute. The Ospreys fly-half’s sensational chip and chase sent him clear and his outside pass found regional team-mate Owen to touch down for a converted try.
Italy U20 hit back immediately and only dragons flanker Nicholas Cudd’s covering tackle prevented a certain try after Roberto Quartaroli’s break through midfield. The aggressive Italians weren’t to be denied as lock Giusti powered over from their first line-out. Riccardo Bocchino converted the extras to level the scores.
Biggar edged Wales U20 back into the lead with a close-range penalty on ten minutes after the visitors were caught offside. After an explosive opening, the first half petered out with both sides game littered with basic mistakes.
Wales U20 saw flanker Justin Tipuric yellow carded on 33 minutes and it was no surprise when Bocchino levelled the match at 10-10 three minutes later. Despite the set-back, Wales U20 emerged from the break on the front foot with renewed verve and Biggar’s second penalty on 44 minutes nudged the home side three points ahead.
Biggar maintained his superb evening with the boot with his third and fourth penalties after 53 and 63 minutes respectively to put Wales U20 in command in a lacklustre second period. Bocchino set up a nervy finish for the Newport faithful when he reduced the deficit to six points with seven minutes remaining.
Wales U20 wing Leigh Halfpenny put the match out of sight with a try on 78 minutes. The Cardiff Blues flier took replacement Rhys Lawrence’s pass and displayed a great turn of speed to beat the Italian defence on the outside. Then Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies sealed an emphatic victory with an intercepted try deep in injury-time.
Wales U20: J Tovey; L Halfpenny, J Davies, G Owen (R Williams 75), J Norris; D Biggar (D Evans 80), R Webb (L Evans 54); R Bevington (S Hobbs 52), R Prosser (R Lawrence 56), S Andrews, A Sweet (H Pugh 52), J Groves (capt), J Tipuric, J Turnbull, (L Phillips 37) N Cudd
Yellow Card: Tipuric 33
Italy U20: G Sapuppo (A Marconato 78); A Bacchetti, R Quartaroli, A Chiesa (capt), E Rotella (M Nava 55); R Bocchino, L Martinelli; A De Marchi, T D’Apice, G Morelli (M Piero Colia 57 G Morelli 73), F Giusti, A Cazzola, L Puliti (V Narbone 67), L Petillo, S Favaro (G Massaro 80) Replacements: L Sebastiani, M Tripepi
Scorers
Wales U20
Tries: Owen, Halfpenny, Davies
Cons: Biggar (2), Halfpenny
Pens: Biggar (4)
Italy U20
Tries: Giusti
Cons: Bocchino
Pens: Bocchino (2)
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)
Attendance: 2,468
