Dominant first-half display at the Principality Stadium sees Wales secure long-awaited victory before Italy stage late rally

WALES 31 – 17 ITALY

WALES ended their painful Six Nations losing streak with a much-needed 31–17 victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium on Saturday (Mar 14), producing their most complete performance of the tournament in front of a relieved Cardiff crowd.

After a difficult campaign, the hosts delivered a display built on strong forward play, improved discipline, and a far more confident attacking structure. A dominant first hour allowed Wales to surge into a commanding lead before a late Italian rally added respectability to the scoreline.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides testing each other through the kicking game. Wales gradually gained the upper hand in territory thanks to accurate kicking from fly-half Dan Edwards and solid work from the back three under the high ball.

Italy initially defended well, slowing the breakdown and forcing Wales to recycle possession patiently. However, the pressure began to tell midway through the first half when Wales launched a sustained attack inside the Italian 22.

After several powerful carries from the Welsh forwards, Aaron Wainwright broke through a narrow defensive channel to score the opening try. Edwards added the conversion to give Wales a deserved early advantage.

The home side continued to dominate possession and territory. Wales’ line-out functioned efficiently, allowing them to launch a series of driving mauls that placed Italy under heavy pressure.

Their second try came from exactly that source. A line-out inside the Italian 22 set up a well-organised maul which rumbled towards the line before Wainwright forced his way over for his second try of the afternoon.

With Edwards again converting, Wales suddenly had a firm grip on the match.

The Welsh pack continued to dominate the set-piece, particularly through the line-out and driving maul, and Italy struggled to slow the momentum.

On the half-hour mark Wales struck again from another well-executed catch-and-drive. The maul surged towards the line before captain Dewi Lake peeled away to crash over for the third try.

Edwards maintained his perfect kicking record to give Wales a commanding 21–0 lead at halftime, reflecting a first-half performance full of energy and physicality.

Wales carried their momentum into the second half and soon delivered the decisive blow. A sweeping attacking move, sparked by quick ball from the breakdown, saw Edwards break through the Italian defence to score Wales’ fourth try and secure the bonus point.

The fly-half then capped his impressive performance with a superb drop goal shortly afterwards to stretch Wales’ lead to 31–0 and effectively end the contest.

Italy, however, refused to surrender. As Wales’ intensity dropped slightly in the final quarter, the visitors began to find more space in attack.

Tommaso Di Bartolomeo scored Italy’s first try following sustained pressure close to the Welsh line, giving the visitors a foothold in the game.

That score sparked a late Italian revival. Tommaso Allan crossed soon afterwards before Paolo Garbisi added another try in the closing stages.

Despite the late surge, Wales remained composed and saw out the remaining minutes to secure a long-awaited victory.

For the Welsh players, the final whistle brought clear relief after a difficult period that has tested the confidence of the squad and supporters alike.

While the result will not dramatically alter Wales’ standing in this year’s championship, the performance offered encouraging signs. The forward pack delivered one of its most physical displays of the tournament, the line-out functioned effectively, and the attack showed glimpses of creativity that have been missing in recent matches.

Most importantly, Wales rediscovered the winning feeling.

After a long run of defeats in the Six Nations, the victory over Italy provides a welcome boost and offers hope that this young Welsh side is beginning to rebuild.

For the supporters inside the Principality Stadium, it was a reminder of what Welsh rugby can still deliver when confidence and momentum finally return.

Match summary

Wales 31 – 17 Italy
Six Nations Championship
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday (Mar 14)

Wales scorers:
Tries: Aaron Wainwright (2), Dewi Lake, Dan Edwards
Conversions: Dan Edwards (4)
Drop goal: Dan Edwards

Italy scorers:
Tries: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi
Conversions: Paolo Garbisi (1)

Half-time: Wales 21 – 0 Italy

Key moments:
15 min – Aaron Wainwright powers over for Wales’ opening try.
26 min – Wainwright scores again after a dominant Welsh maul.
32 min – Captain Dewi Lake crashes over from a line-out drive.
41 min – Dan Edwards breaks through the Italian defence to secure Wales’ bonus-point try.
48 min – Edwards adds a long-range drop goal as Wales move 31 points clear.
62 min – Tommaso Di Bartolomeo scores Italy’s first try.
69 min – Tommaso Allan crosses as Italy begin a late comeback.
78 min – Paolo Garbisi adds a third Italian try before the final whistle.

Player of the match:
Aaron Wainwright – outstanding throughout, scoring twice and leading Wales’ forward effort.

Attendance:
Approx. 70,000 at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Sean and James Bowen feature in the UK’s top ten jockeys by career prize money

PEMBROKESHIRE jockeys Sean Bowen and his younger brother James Bowen have been ranked among the highest-earning riders in British jump racing ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

New figures released by betting and sports analysis site OLBG show that both brothers feature in the current top ten jockeys in the Jockeys’ Championship based on total career prize money earned.

Sean Bowen, who was raised in Pembrokeshire and learned his trade riding at local courses such as Ffos Las and Chepstow, currently sits fifth in the rankings. His mounts have accumulated more than £14.7 million in prize money during his career.

His younger brother James Bowen is also included in the top ten, placed eighth with career earnings exceeding £7.1 million.

Both riders have become familiar names on the National Hunt circuit and are expected to feature prominently during the Cheltenham Festival, one of the biggest events in the jump racing calendar.

The research places Sam Twiston-Davies at the top of the earnings table with career prize money of more than £23.6 million. He is followed by Harry Skelton with £22.1 million and Harry Cobden with £20.3 million.

Other jockeys included in the top ten list are Brian Hughes, Gavin Sheehan, Jonathan Burke, Ben Jones and Danny McMenamin.

Sean Bowen has built a reputation as one of the most consistent riders in the weighing room, recording hundreds of winners and regularly competing at the highest level of the sport. James Bowen, who rose to prominence at a young age, has also enjoyed significant success including major victories at leading race meetings.

With the Cheltenham Festival getting underway this week, attention will again turn to the sport’s biggest stage as many of Britain’s leading jockeys compete for racing’s most prestigious prizes.

Data for the rankings was compiled using the current Jockeys’ Championship standings from Great British Racing, with career prize money figures sourced from the British Horseracing Authority. The information was collected on Monday (Mar 9).

South Wales gym initially thought the gesture was ‘fake’

A BOXING club in south Wales has spoken of its shock after receiving unexpected support from social media star and professional boxer Jake Paul.

Members of Cwmavon Hornets ABC were stunned when Paul donated 16 pairs of boxing gloves to the club following the death of its long-time head coach and founder, Nigel Davies.

Davies, who founded the club in 1995, died in August 2025 after decades of dedication to grassroots boxing. During his career he helped guide more than 100 national champions and represented Wales at both European and world championship level.

The donation came about after former Hornets boxer Ethan Gilbert, who now works with Paul’s media team, told the American fighter about the club and the legacy Davies left behind.

Gethin Davies, Nigel Davies’ son, admitted the club initially struggled to believe the gesture was genuine.

“There’s been a lot of fake stuff going around with Jake Paul,” he said.

“When I first saw it I thought it was fake. But when I realised it was real I thought, fair play. He didn’t have to do that, did he? We appreciate all the help we get.”

The gloves, branded with Paul’s Boxing Bullies Foundation, arrived at the club in early February.

Nigel Davies was widely respected across the sport and had worked with some of the biggest names in British boxing, including Anthony Joshua, Joe Cordina, Fred Evans, Andrew Selby and Sean McGoldrick.

He also coached at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Members of the club described him as “more than a coach”, saying he had been a father or grandfather figure to many young boxers who trained at the gym.

Gilbert said it meant a great deal to return to the club and deliver the gloves after telling Paul about Davies and the role the gym had played in his own life.

“It felt like a full circle moment, from being a kid training there to now being in a position to give something back,” he said.

“Everyone was so excited. They kept asking, ‘How does Jake Paul know about our little club?’”

Gilbert later filmed club members using the gloves and sent the video to Paul, who said he was delighted to see the reaction.

According to Gilbert, Paul responded: “This is exactly what we’re trying to do with Boxing Bullies.”

Following Davies’ death, club members and his family also took part in the Richard Burton 10K in October 2025 in his memory, with Paul sending a video message of support that was shared on social media.

Despite the loss of its founder, the club continues to grow and may soon require larger premises due to increasing membership.

In a message on social media, the club thanked Paul, his team and Gilbert for their support.

“Support like this really does make a difference to our club and our boxers,” the post said.

“These gloves will be put to great use helping our members train, build confidence and enjoy the sport.”