“It wasn’t a great performance, although we’re obviously happy to have won,” admitted Wales Under 21 team manager Wayne Hall. “It wasn’t the step up we were looking for from this squad after that win over England. We lost the ball in contact and we weren’t clinical enough at the set piece.
“There is obviously some work to do before we head to France in two weeks time, although everyone is looking forward to fronting up the French and finding out what we are really made of.”
Wales led 15-3 at half-time thanks to first-half tries from No 8 Jonathan Mills and centre Andrew Bishop. Matthew Jones converted one and added a penalty just before the break. Cardiff wing Chris Czekaj, who scored twice in the win over England, grabbed the third try soon after the re-start and Jones extended the lead with a conversion and penalty.
Replacement back row man Tom Smith notched the fourth try after 74 minutes and skipper James Merriman rounded off the scoring when he completed a length of the field move with try number five. Replacement outside half Aled Thomas banged over the conversion, having earlier kicked a penalty, to leave Wales looking impressive winners on the scoreboard at least.
Scorers:
Italy U21: Pen: P Nicola
Wales U21: Tries: J Mills, A Bishop, C Czekaj, T Smith, J Merriman; Cons: M Jones 2, A Thomas; Pens: M Jones 2, A Thomas
Wales U21: R Williams (Newport); A Brew (Ospreys), A Bishop (Neath), T Riley (Pontypridd), C Czekaj (Cardiff); M Jones (Ospreys), W Evans (Carmarthen Quins); S Roberts (Bridgend), D Goodfield (Pontypridd), C Griffiths (Neath), A Wyn-Jones (Swansea) , I Evans (Pontypridd), C Davies (Bridgend), J Merriman (Hartpury College/Gloucester, captain) , J Mills (Scarlets)
Replacements: R James (UWIC) for Goodfield 71; B Thomson (Harlequins) for I Evans 72; T Smith (Neath) for Mills 71; A Thomas (Carmarthen Quins) for Jones 62; D Hewitt (Cardiff) for Riley 62; R McAtee (Penzance) for W Evans 58
Under 19
Italy 8 Wales 10
Martin Roberts’ side had a close shave in Parabagio before emerging winners by two points to get their Six Nations campaign on the road. Hot on the heels of their disappointing defeat to England at Aberavon the team triumphed where the Scots had perished before them earlier in the season.
