The Azzurri of Italy claimed their first win of the Six Nations on Saturday as they handed Wales their 14th consecutive Test defeat. Italy recorded a 22-15 victory over Wales after leading 16-3 at half-time in Rome.

A converted try by Ange Capuozzo in the 19th minute, along with three penalties by Tommaso Allan, saw the hosts take the lead. The Dragons fought back in the second half with an Aaron Wainwright try, as well as a penalty try, but the damage had already been done in the first half.

Allan landed a total of five penalties, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

Scorers:

Italy: Try – Ange Capuozzo Conv. – Tommaso Allan Pen. – Allan 5

Wales: Tries – Aaron Wainwright, Penalty Try Pen. – Ben Thomas

Meanwhile, over at Twickenham in London, England got off the mark with a hard-fought 26-25 win against France. A 29th-minute converted try by Louis Bielle-Biarrey saw the French open the scoring. However, the English struck back with an Ollie Lawrence try, leaving the score at 7-7 at half-time.

In the second half, Tommy Freeman, Fin Baxter, and Elliot Daly all crossed the whitewash for the English. Damian Penaud dotted down for Les Bleus, while Bielle-Biarrey completed his brace in the 74th minute.

The French will lament their handling in the game, especially in the first half when they had England on the backfoot following countless threatening attacks – had the final pass gone to hand when it mattered most, they would have left London with a second win.

Scorers:

England: Tries – Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Fin Baxter, Elliot Daly Conv. - Marcus Smith, Fin Smith 2

France: Tries – Louis Bielle-Biarrey 2, Damian Penaud Conv. – Thomas Ramos 2 Pen. – Ramos 2

On Sunday, Scotland and Ireland will go head-to-head in Edinburgh in the final match of round three. Both teams secured victories in round one, with Ireland beating England and Scotland overcoming Italy. Sunday’s Test at the iconic Murrayfield Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg