This success obtained on the ground of the holder during the final day of the 2022 edition, is as unexpected as it is welcome to silence the little music which was starting to become heady after 36 defeats conceded since this distant victory in Scotland on February 28, 2015 : Italy does not have the level for the Six Nations tournament.

The "Azzurri" cried with joy after the transformation of opener Paolo Garbisi, author of half of his team's points, which allowed them to beat the 2021 champions, annoyed, at the post.

And Capuozzo, after his two tries against Scotland on the 4th day, celebrated his second cape (his first as holder) of a 50-meter race likely to open a new chapter for the young generation.

"I am very proud of the boys tonight. (...) We worked hard. It was teamwork, I really congratulate everyone", could rejoice Kieran Crowley, the coach of Italy, after the game.

"Our philosophy was to take every point. Other teams make different decisions on penalties. We decided to take the penalties, and it went well," added Crowley.

Welsh winger Josh Adams scores a try against Italy on March 19, 2022 in Cardiff Geoff Caddick AFP

In front of the score for 48 minutes, thanks to the boot of Garbisi, but also of Padovani (6 points), the Italians had seen the Welsh pass them in front of a magnificent try from Josh Adams, who pierced the exhausted Italian defense after a cross race to find an interval on the opposing 22 meters and rush to the test (21-15, 68th).

Four minutes later, a force test, that of the offensive bonus, was refused to the pillar Wyn Jones (72nd) after recourse to video arbitration.

At that time, chances were no longer given to the valiant and diligent Italians for more than an hour, but who seemed to no longer have the resources to force their destiny.

Especially since they had just, for the first time, lost a throw in touch in the 22 m Welsh …

Adams gives his trophy to Capuozzo

The luck seemed to have passed and the prospect of a defensive bonus point, which would have been the first since 2018, was already encouraging, after three years of zero points.

But the future Toulousain Ange Capuozzo decided otherwise.

Italian full-back Ange Capuozzo (c) tackled by Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit on March 19, 2022 in Cardiff Geoff Caddick AFP

On a Welsh kick, with 2 minutes left to play, Padovani transmitted to Capuozzo who flew on the right wing, placed a frame-overflow and played the two-on-one with Padovani perfectly , who had managed to follow him, for a try behind the posts.

Josh Adams, who had been designated "player of the match" a few seconds earlier, very sportingly gave the trophy to Capuozzo.

If Wales were extremely disappointing and in particular very rough in their passes when they had favorable situations, it is necessary to underline the panache of the Italians.

Josh Adams had already been forced into a last-ditch tackle just yards from the line to prevent fellow Italian wisp Monty Ioane from flattening in the 46th minute when the score was 12-7 for visitors.

Eleven minutes later, when the Leek XV had taken control with a strong try from Dewi Lake (14-12, 51st), a recovery from their own in-goal, already lit by Capuozzo, had allowed the Italians to get a penalty in front of the opposing posts and turn again in the lead (15-14, 57th).

Welsh hooker Dewi Lake (g) scores a strong try against Italy on March 19, 2022 in Cardiff Geoff Caddick AFP

More consistent in their kicking game, which had been a major weak point throughout the tournament, and more present when the balls were released, the Italians largely deserved this success which will put the Welsh in the face of difficult choices vis-à-vis of their aging guard.

© 2022 AFP