By Lestyn - 27/03/04
March 28 2004

Steve Hansen was given a perfect send off, as Wales ended the Six Nations in spectacular fashion this afternoon at the Millennium stadium. As one of six Welsh try scorers, Gareth Thomas surpassed Ieuan Evans’ try scoring record. Wales completed a full circle of form over the past thirteen months, to play an Italian outfit fresh from a narrow loss to Ireland. Hansen’ final game illustrated that if Wales can find parity up front and consolidate the set piece, there is little reason to suggest why under Mike Ruddock, bigger names cannot be felled.

Only for a ten-minute period at the beginning of the second half, did there even faintly appear to be a chance that Hansen would not be ending his two-year reign on a high.

As expected on a fine early spring day Wales showed their intent to attack, straight from kick off they played with little caution. Italy struggled to cope and Stephen Jones obliged with two successful kicks at goal, as the Azzuri gave penalty after penalty away.

Iestyn Harris a controversial choice ahead of in form Tom Shanklin, delivered the cutting edge that had so badly been missing, first timing a pass perfectly to Rhys Williams who burst through a gaping hole in the Italian defence, before being dragged down just short. Harris was on hand to hand to mop things up after the resulting maul and allow Shane Williams to selfishly ignore a two man overlap and scramble over.

Many had predicted Italy to dominate the scrums, but that was far from the case, as the much-criticised front five gained formed a solid plat form. In particular Rhys Williams’s first score, five minutes after his wing partner had crossed. After wheeling the scrum left, Cooper looking as diminutive as ever made a dart towards the right and an overly anonymous Martyn Williams linked well, and Rhys Williams simply had too much pace for Azzuri captain De Rossi.

Italy’s eight had been much maligned, but they never got going up against a far more Athletic eight. Mark Taylor in what could turn out to be his last appearance in internationals colours was denied by a well-judged Gonzalo Canale tackle, that dislodged the ball from his grip in the corner.

Rather than a case of how many they would win by, like the opening defeat of Scotland, a lack of concentration, threatened to let the visitors back in to contention. Up until Gareth Thomas’s record-breaking try, those doubts remained, as Roland de Marigny missed two penalties that would have put his side back within a converted try.

Thomas’s try acted as a catalyst; there was definitely a new spring in the Welsh step. Iestyn Harris’s exit was surprising considering how affective he was starting to become in midfield, on the other hand though, going into the game Shanklin was the in form option for inside centre. Within a minute of coming on the other Blues centre, read the angle perfectly inside Mark Taylor for an easy run over.

Italy knew they were doomed to fifth spot for a second consecutive year, centre Andrea Masi offered some brief respite with a well taken try, but the men in red were buzzing and claimed two more end to end tries through the Williams’ wings.

MOTM – Gareth Cooper

Mike Hall may have chosen sixty minute man Iestyn Harris, however for me Gareth Cooper was superb behind a Welsh pack that for once wasn’t going backwards. “Coops” fast service was second to none, giving great impetus throughout.

Wales (16) 44
Tries: S Williams (2), R Williams (2), Thomas, Shanklin
Cons: Jones (4)
Pens: Jones (2)

Italy (0) 10
Tries: A Masi
Con: Wakarua
Pen: De Marigny