I'm backing wonderful Wales all the way in Paris
The Rugby Paper|March 14, 2021
In my column last week I wrote that George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and the rest of Wales’ dangerous back-three players could cause havoc in the Italian sunshine. So it proved. Italy were as bad as I expected them to be and Wayne Pivac’s side took full advantage to move to within a game of a Grand Slam.
SHANE WILLIAMS
I'm backing wonderful Wales all the way in Paris

It was a ruthless performance in the first half in Rome. The tempo and accuracy of the Welsh game was far too much for Italy to contend with. At times, Wales made it look easy and watching the game you could have been confused for thinking it was a training session. Italy’s poor discipline didn’t help them, but defensively Wales were very clever.

They allowed Italy to attack from deep and they just fanned the field by not committing too many men to the breakdown. The result was it made Italy’s attack very ineffective. Wales were patient in defence and waited for the mistakes.

Dan Biggar had a superb first half and played a huge role in getting Wales into spaces with his passing. He hardly kicked possession away but when he did, he did it very well indeed.

His pass to Josh Adams for the first try looked simple, but its execution was perfect and it allowed Josh a simple finish in the corner.

Dan was just as good for 20 minutes or so in the second half before making way for Callum Sheedy. Wales took their tries well and looked to run away with it, but, as bad as Italy were, their resilience was always going to be there and so it proved with that try from Monty Ioane.

Unfortunately for them, the game was over as a contest after 20 minutes. Josh was very busy and took his try well, but he will be kicking himself about the try that wasn’t. He should have scored in the second half, but his technique was poor and he ended up in touch.

It was also great to see Sheedy get his first Wales try. It was well-deserved because he has been impressive in this Championship coming off the bench for Dan.

This story is from the March 14, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 14, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
The Rugby Paper

Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash

LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
The Rugby Paper

Dramatic late win boosts leaders

A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
England need to be more consistent
The Rugby Paper

England need to be more consistent

I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
The Rugby Paper

Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver

ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
The Rugby Paper

Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions

TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
The Rugby Paper

Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
The Rugby Paper

Four-try David calls the shots for Bears

MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
The Rugby Paper

Scott-Young keen to follow his father

TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
When value for money is not part of the deal
The Rugby Paper

When value for money is not part of the deal

ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
The Rugby Paper

'I want to prove my worth to Bath'

OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024