Warren Gatland‘s position as Wales head coach was left hanging by a thread after his team lost 22-15 against Italy at Stadio Olimpico and lurched towards a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon.
Wales’ 14th successive Test match defeat could be the final straw for Gatland’s Welsh Rugby Union bosses. They have promised a detailed review of Wales’ Six Nations performances after the tournament and matters are hardly likely to improve given that remaining fixtures are against Ireland, Scotland and England.
It was Gatland’s 20th loss in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint at the helm, an eighth Six Nations reversal in a row and the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats against Italy.
They also slumped to a new world ranking low of 12th, with Georgia climbing above them following their Rugby Europe Championship victory over the Netherlands in Tbilisi.
Relive all the action from the Stadio Olimpico in our live blog below:
They have promised a detailed review of Wales’ Six Nations performances after the tournament and matters are hardly likely to improve given that remaining fixtures are against Ireland, Scotland and England.
It was Gatland’s 20th loss in 26 Tests since returning for a second stint at the helm, an eighth Six Nations reversal in a row and the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats against Italy.
They also slumped to a new world ranking low of 12th, with Georgia climbing above them following their Rugby Europe Championship victory over the Netherlands in Tbilisi.
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Harry Latham-Coyle8 February 2025 16:38
Warren Gatland and Wales were told they “can’t carry on” losing games after falling to a 14th consecutive defeat in a “schoolboy” performance against Italy.
A 22-15 loss in rainy Rome, in a match blighted by errors from Gatland’s side, condemned the visitors to their lowest ever place in the world rankings after falling below Georgia into 12th.
Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar had made headlines before the Italy match when he called Saturday’s encounter at the Stadio Olimpico their “biggest match in 15 to 20 years”.
Defeat to Italy showed why and Wales now face the possibility of their losing run extending even further in the Six Nations with games against Ireland, Scotland and England to come.
Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 17:45
Tommaso Allan speaking to ITV:
Ciara Fearn8 February 2025 16:39
Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland speaks to ITV:
Ciara Fearn8 February 2025 16:30
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada speaks to ITV:
Ciara Fearn8 February 2025 16:28
Wales prop Gareth Thomas speaking to S4C:
“Quite emotional at full-time. It’s a disappointing result and just not good enough.
“It’s hard to put a finger on it. The effort is there, but discipline cost us.”
A grim, grim day for Welsh rugby
(Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker8 February 2025 16:23
Wales captain Jac Morgan told S4C:
“I’m gutted with the result. We’ve worked hard all week and things just didn’t go our way.
“Discipline let us down. We gave them opportunities to kick points and that built the score board to be too high at the end.”
Ciara Fearn8 February 2025 16:21
Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts told ITV:
“I thought that was one of Wales’ poorest performances over the last 18-20 months.
“I think everyone in Wales was expecting a kick back from the disappointing night in Paris last weekend.
“Our kicking game at times tonight was schoolboy.
Italy have back-to-back Six Nations wins at home.
Wales got the game plan completely wrong and it looked like their poorest performance yet.
Wales never got a real chance, as Italy kept them pinned inside their own 22 and eventually won a breakdown penalty.
The last 20 mins were probably the best we’ve seen of Wales under pressure.
Italy will look at this as a really positive step forward – that was a perfect example of how to play in the rain.
Ciara Fearn8 February 2025 16:09