Wales U20s v Italy U20s

:00:22. > :00:27.To live in Wales is to be conscious at dusk of the spilled blood that

:00:28. > :00:34.went into the making of the wild sky. Dying of the immaculate rivers

:00:35. > :00:41.in all their courses. It is to be aware of both the noisy tractor and

:00:42. > :00:46.hum of the machine, of strife in the woods, vibrant with spent hours. You

:00:47. > :00:51.cannot live in the present. At least not in Wales.

:00:52. > :01:00.There are cries in the dark at night as Powell 's answer the moon and

:01:01. > :01:05.thick ambush of shadows hushed at the Field's corners. There is no

:01:06. > :01:10.present in Wales, and no future. There is only the past.

:01:11. > :01:19.The words of the late local poet RS Thomas landing a lyrical start to

:01:20. > :01:23.tonight's Scrum V. He may have been gazing into the past but tonight it

:01:24. > :01:27.is about the here, no land future as a new generation of international

:01:28. > :01:32.stars get a chance to strut their stuff. This Welsh side was denied

:01:33. > :01:34.the final hurdle twice in major competitions last year against

:01:35. > :01:38.England here when they missed out on a Grand Slam and against England

:01:39. > :01:43.again in the final of the Junior World Championship. There are a lot

:01:44. > :01:48.of new faces, that is the nature of Under 20s rugby, but hunger to go

:01:49. > :01:57.one step further is certainly there. Good evening and welcome to Parc

:01:58. > :02:00.Eirias in Colwyn Bay. A very decent crowd here tonight, despite the

:02:01. > :02:04.inclement weather. Martyn Williams joins me, and we have said it before

:02:05. > :02:07.and will see it again in the absence of an A-side this has become a

:02:08. > :02:13.critical step in the pathway of players. It is hugely important, you

:02:14. > :02:18.only have to look at tomorrow's starting side, a couple of years ago

:02:19. > :02:22.they were in the Under 20s team. It shows the pathway is there, it is

:02:23. > :02:26.live on TV which is an added incentive for players come it is a

:02:27. > :02:32.shop window. This is a big game for these young kids.

:02:33. > :02:36.Our analyst and a fashion guru Sean Holley is on the clock for us

:02:37. > :02:41.tonight. We mentioned the turnover in players, there are only five with

:02:42. > :02:45.Under 20s experience in this 15, it will be those guys the youngsters

:02:46. > :02:49.are looking to for leadership. You are right, it is an inexperienced

:02:50. > :02:53.team and a shortage in the Loch Department.

:02:54. > :02:57.Expect Byron Hayward, the new head coach, to play with an expansive

:02:58. > :03:02.style tonight. The two I will be watching tonight are the more

:03:03. > :03:05.experienced. Nicky Thomas is incredibly flexible for such a big

:03:06. > :03:11.man which allows him to get into a good scrummage position. There may

:03:12. > :03:14.be a lack of forward power behind them. Steffan Hughes is the man

:03:15. > :03:19.behind him and it is a big year for the Scarlets centre as he leads his

:03:20. > :03:25.team to the Junior Rugby World Cup. Look for him to force the Italians

:03:26. > :03:28.back inside tonight. The gap is centre partner, Harri Evans of North

:03:29. > :03:35.Wales. Lots of talent on show tonight.

:03:36. > :03:39.Anyone you have an ion tonight? A lot of these boys will have played

:03:40. > :03:42.in the Premiership but you might not have seen them on TV.

:03:43. > :03:47.We have spoken of Byron Hayward, the coach tonight, he is very much like

:03:48. > :03:53.Rob Howell, that is the kind of scrum-half he is. And he is a

:03:54. > :03:56.Pontypridd boy, as well, so that counts. He has been first choice

:03:57. > :03:59.then this even -- of this season which says something about his

:04:00. > :04:05.talent at such a young age. Of course, Rhodri Evans, his

:04:06. > :04:11.predecessor year, is now in the full Welsh squad.

:04:12. > :04:13.The staff and the management team of Wales have shown they will throw

:04:14. > :04:19.youngsters and if they have the talent and skill set.

:04:20. > :04:22.That is the point they will take come if you are young and good

:04:23. > :04:25.enough, you are in there. It is a long walk from the dressing rooms to

:04:26. > :04:28.the pitch, the Italians are on their way.

:04:29. > :04:31.The Welsh team will follow them. Something else Byron Hayward

:04:32. > :04:35.mentioned which is interesting, Danny Wilson started this weekend

:04:36. > :04:40.with Under 20s, the youngsters train on Tuesday with this in your squad.

:04:41. > :04:46.Is that something they will relish or will they be in or? -- with the

:04:47. > :04:49.senior squad. The older players absolutely despise it, it is a full

:04:50. > :04:53.on session. It is good experience for the

:04:54. > :04:59.youngsters. Irony Hayward caught up with Phil Steele a few moments

:05:00. > :05:03.before we came on air. Finalists at the World Cup in the

:05:04. > :05:08.summer, a lot of expectation on the team tonight, how will they cope?

:05:09. > :05:11.We will try to deflect from the expectation on the players and give

:05:12. > :05:15.them focus on the process and performance. We are not worried too

:05:16. > :05:19.much about outcomes, don't want to put that pressure on the players. It

:05:20. > :05:22.is important to concentrate and focus on what we have been working

:05:23. > :05:26.on for the past few weeks and deliver from that point of view.

:05:27. > :05:31.Conditions are pretty soggy, will that affect you?

:05:32. > :05:34.Hopefully not, hopefully it will dry up.

:05:35. > :05:37.We have to be able to adapt to conditions and opposition, so we

:05:38. > :05:43.should be very comfortable, I hope. Thanks for your time can enjoy your

:05:44. > :05:47.first Six Nations as head coach. As you can see, both teams are now

:05:48. > :05:51.on the pitch. The anthems are about to come up, that is what the Six

:05:52. > :05:57.Nations are all about. Before that there is a minute's silence, to

:05:58. > :06:03.tragic deaths in Italian rugby recently. And under 20 Italian

:06:04. > :06:08.national player tragically died in a car crash last weekend and an

:06:09. > :07:14.Italian federation board member also passed away this weekend.

:07:15. > :07:19.The anthems are next, after which we will leave you in the capable hands

:07:20. > :07:24.of our commentary team, Rob Jones and Gareth Charles.

:07:25. > :09:24.Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi.

:09:25. > :09:30.Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri.

:09:31. > :09:32.Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad.

:09:33. > :09:42.Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed. Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm

:09:43. > :10:31.gwlad. As has already been mentioned a big

:10:32. > :10:35.turnover for the Welsh Under 20s team this year, five of them did not

:10:36. > :10:39.play -- did play last season, including Stephan use. Harri Evans

:10:40. > :10:47.in the centre, as well, Nicky Thomas in prop and James Benjamin.

:10:48. > :11:01.Italy in a fairly similar position, led from scrum-half by Maicol

:11:02. > :11:02.Azzolini. The youngest player in their team will not be 19 by

:11:03. > :11:23.October. And the referee this evening is from

:11:24. > :11:28.France, Alexandre Ruiz, as are all of your officials. There was a lot

:11:29. > :11:34.of standing water half an hour ago at Park Eirias, they have done and

:11:35. > :11:37.remarkable job, the staff, to get the Under 20s Six Nations under way

:11:38. > :11:38.on time. Thankfully the rain has abated for a

:11:39. > :11:59.good few hours. Into no man's land. Superbly taken

:12:00. > :12:04.as well by Federico Ruzza. Just brought down in time by Afon

:12:05. > :12:08.Bagshaw. The Italians really capitalising on a defensive error by

:12:09. > :12:10.Wales. It was a defensive error, very poor one.

:12:11. > :12:15.There is no way you can leave the ball bouncing. It was a well judged

:12:16. > :12:19.kick, you look to put the ball into land, not into the hand, and that

:12:20. > :12:27.was a fantastic start for the Italians. Local boy, Afon Bagshaw,

:12:28. > :12:31.one of two North Wales representatives with a tremendous

:12:32. > :12:35.last ditch tackle to save whales's blushes in the opening minute.

:12:36. > :12:48.-- QC Wales's blushes. Ethan Davies making sure the ball is

:12:49. > :12:51.safe. That was a good kick by Ethan Davies and a good exit in fairness

:12:52. > :12:57.by the Welsh side. It was a fantastic tackle. He came

:12:58. > :12:59.across Bagshaw when it looked almost certainly Italians would score in

:13:00. > :13:05.the first minute after that poor mistake.

:13:06. > :13:11.A few nerves jangling, I dare say there are a few nerves out there, a

:13:12. > :13:18.lot of emotion, certainly from the Italians during their anthem. That

:13:19. > :13:23.emotion is being put to good use as Derrick Appiah drives forward.

:13:24. > :13:28.Azzolini with a long pass in midfield, charged down by Steffan

:13:29. > :13:50.Hughes and we gathered safely. Azzolini. Buscema, again the ball is

:13:51. > :13:52.a real, safely gathered this time by Bagshaw, who is driven back by

:13:53. > :14:03.Giacomo De Santis. Tom Williams has a look. And the

:14:04. > :14:13.Italians just told to stay behind the back foot and not encroach.

:14:14. > :14:16.I guess say you will see a fair bit of kicking this evening, conditions

:14:17. > :14:25.being what they are. The boys do want to run, but

:14:26. > :14:31.obviously you have to be pragmatic, as well, on this surface and -- and

:14:32. > :14:32.in particular. You have to play a simple game.

:14:33. > :14:36.Conditions are better than they have been all day but it is still

:14:37. > :14:41.breezy, are bit soggy underfoot. Putting the ball in front is going

:14:42. > :14:45.to be important for the forwards. Safely taken by James Sheekey. A I

:14:46. > :14:53.slipped to Scott Matthews, but that was a very heavy tackle on him.

:14:54. > :14:56.-- might slip to James Sheekey. One thing you are going to get from

:14:57. > :15:00.the Italians is a lot of passion. You could see it in the anthem, and

:15:01. > :15:05.when you are coached by one of the great Italian players I think one

:15:06. > :15:20.thing you are going to get is 100%, every time. There is Alexander

:15:21. > :15:29.Troncon. A legend of the Italian game. Just ahead of us in the

:15:30. > :15:39.commentary box. Wales are quite light up front. They have five back

:15:40. > :15:43.row forwards, basically. Two injuries and a suspension to the

:15:44. > :15:50.second row have left them short in that department. In this tight area,

:15:51. > :15:55.Italy may have the edge. A six stone advantage in the scrum. Let's see if

:15:56. > :16:02.they are like their senior counterparts. They love a scrum.

:16:03. > :16:11.They have got a penalty in the first one. Gone against Lewis. The tight

:16:12. > :16:26.head gets the congratulations of his forwards. Yes, it is good to be a

:16:27. > :16:32.battle. It is wet underfoot. They have got quite an experienced front

:16:33. > :16:41.row, Wales. But when you have got inexperience in the second row, as

:16:42. > :16:49.good as they are, it is difficult. Buscema ports Italy in front. -- put

:16:50. > :16:54.Italy in front. Alongside Rob and much this evening, Gethin Watts, the

:16:55. > :17:02.National performance manager of Welsh rugby. A big turnover for the

:17:03. > :17:06.boys this year? There are a lot of new faces. It happens annually.

:17:07. > :17:17.There is a fair bit of experience in the side. They play regularly in the

:17:18. > :17:23.Premiership. Afon Bagshaw is a converted scrum-half. He has started

:17:24. > :17:31.strongly. Territory is going to be very important to keep these

:17:32. > :17:35.Italians quiet. We will get to know some of these boys better by the end

:17:36. > :17:37.of the evening. And hopefully we will get to know them a lot better

:17:38. > :17:54.in the coming years. It is a walkover for Adams! A great

:17:55. > :18:00.reply by Wales after conceding early points. Superbly done by forwards

:18:01. > :18:07.and backs. Joshua Adams gets the first try. It was turnover ball by

:18:08. > :18:13.Tom Williams. He saw the opportunity. Good hands. As soon as

:18:14. > :18:19.the ball is turned over, you have two make a decision. Do you keep it

:18:20. > :18:26.tight in the wet conditions? That was not the case. Let's get the ball

:18:27. > :18:33.wide. Let's use hands. It was a simple run-in and a great try. Great

:18:34. > :18:44.work in the breakdown by Steffan Hughes. It was. They were queueing

:18:45. > :18:56.up in the end. Biron will be absolutely delighted by that. --

:18:57. > :19:09.Byron Hayward. The cake fades in the end. Wales will be well pleased with

:19:10. > :19:12.that reply. No missed passes. It is using the hands. It is holding

:19:13. > :19:13.defenders just for that split second to make sure you have space out

:19:14. > :19:59.wide. Great work. Wales with five back row forwards in

:20:00. > :20:04.that back five. They will probably want to play more of an open,

:20:05. > :20:09.expansive game. Will the conditions allow it? At the moment, the ground

:20:10. > :20:13.is standing up well. As the game goes on, if the weather continues as

:20:14. > :20:22.it is, you may see more from this Welsh side. On the face of it as

:20:23. > :20:32.well, a good opportunity for Williams.

:20:33. > :20:51.Tom Williams and Scott Matthews have been very prominent in the opening

:20:52. > :21:08.stages. Italy trying to kick -- to keep their shape defensively.

:21:09. > :21:24.Good turnover by Italy. A chance to break.

:21:25. > :21:33.There is a knock-on advantage with Tom Williams in possession. The ball

:21:34. > :22:02.going to the left-hand side. Negri from Western province is the

:22:03. > :22:12.one exception to the home-grown youngsters for Italy. Again the

:22:13. > :22:20.outside have going for distance. -- the outside half. He has kept it in.

:22:21. > :22:29.It was nicely done. He did not knock it on. He was allowed a bit of time

:22:30. > :22:32.to get the clearance. Nicely done. But they had an opportunity to get

:22:33. > :22:37.the line-out which would have given them an opportunity to work their

:22:38. > :22:42.way downfield. It has given Wales possession. It has been good work by

:22:43. > :22:51.Wales. The breakdown has been impressive. Turnover as well.

:22:52. > :23:01.The point I was going to make any, Gethin, about the back row, we know

:23:02. > :23:05.what a massive pack England have got. Hopefully the other boys will

:23:06. > :23:09.be back by the end of the season? Yes, I think what you will see in

:23:10. > :23:20.the next bubble of weeks is quite a big turnover of players. There are

:23:21. > :23:24.about 34 or 35 boys in the squad. We want to take the best players out to

:23:25. > :23:30.the World Cup in Auckland in the summer. The six Nations period is a

:23:31. > :23:39.big development. The best players will go to the World Cup. I suppose

:23:40. > :23:45.that is the thing with the under 20 team. There is a World Cup every

:23:46. > :23:51.year. Not the four-year cycle we see in the senior game. Every year you

:23:52. > :23:59.have to see what is available and love them in the six Nations. What

:24:00. > :24:03.the World Cup does do is it gives invaluable exposure for those

:24:04. > :24:07.players to play against southern hemisphere teams. It has been a

:24:08. > :24:12.policy to try and explode -- expose these players. The under 16 is

:24:13. > :24:18.played two games against Australia before Christmas. It is very

:24:19. > :24:27.important to play the best, to beat the best, to almost take away that

:24:28. > :24:31.inferiority complex. There was certainly no inferiority complex

:24:32. > :25:25.last year. The under 20 team beat the all Blacks.

:25:26. > :25:36.As always here at Parc Eirias, a couple of quires pre-match. And here

:25:37. > :25:37.during the match as well. There is always a great family atmosphere to

:25:38. > :25:53.these occasions. Great tackle by Ferrari on Callum

:25:54. > :26:17.Lewis. There could be a bit of a mismatch

:26:18. > :26:21.in midfield. That is what they were trying to exploit. They could see

:26:22. > :26:31.the forwards out there. They knew there was a penalty coming anyway.

:26:32. > :26:40.The referee has to talk a little bit more. He told them to release. They

:26:41. > :26:47.did release but he awarded them the penalty. Some big hits going in.

:26:48. > :26:53.Some big tackles by the Italians. Just sensing already that Wales look

:26:54. > :26:57.much sharper. Their kicking game looks better in terms of the

:26:58. > :27:01.individuals who can kick the ball well. Also, tactically as well, to

:27:02. > :27:31.kick in the right places. Ethan Davies curled that once safely

:27:32. > :27:40.around. They extend their lead. They probably deserve it overall. The

:27:41. > :27:52.better rugby has come from Wales in the early stages.

:27:53. > :28:11.Great footwork by James Benjamin there.

:28:12. > :29:00.REFEREE: come here, please. The referee is taking no-nonsense.

:29:01. > :29:12.REFEREE: it is a good game. Now, slowly. Do you understand? OK?

:29:13. > :29:16.There has been some good work at the breakdown. They have turned over a

:29:17. > :29:23.couple of balls, they have gained a penalty or two. They have gone in

:29:24. > :29:33.quickly on a few occasions, the Italians. That has given them a good

:29:34. > :30:02.foothold into Welsh territory. A bit of defending for the Welsh

:30:03. > :30:10.boys to do. They do so successfully. Scott Matthews, is it, on the back

:30:11. > :30:16.row? That is consistency from the referee, giving the same: He did a

:30:17. > :30:25.few moments ago. -- the same call.

:30:26. > :30:32.And for the first time we can go pitch side to Phil Steele, who has

:30:33. > :30:38.an access all areas pass, I take it. This is an important man, Harry,

:30:39. > :30:43.give a wave to the camera, Harry. He was the mascot tonight and he

:30:44. > :30:49.plays for the youngsters at a local rugby club. Since we were last here

:30:50. > :30:54.at Park Eirias, a stall work of the rugby club suffered a terrible neck

:30:55. > :30:58.injury a couple of years ago and died in the summer. I am sure we

:30:59. > :31:00.will all be delighted the mascot came from there. -- stall wart are

:31:01. > :31:18.the rugby club. And all over him is Michael at silly

:31:19. > :31:25.me, as he tries to get the ball back. -- Marco Lazzaroni. There was

:31:26. > :31:29.a bit of latitude in that one. I think Elliot Dee went in hard but

:31:30. > :31:36.did not quite fall in the proper position to get the ball back.

:31:37. > :31:44.It is good pace and temple in the drives of the Welsh forwards and in

:31:45. > :31:54.the Welsh team generally. That is Marco Lazzaroni. One of her four

:31:55. > :32:07.players from Molly Arno who played against the Dragons in the challenge

:32:08. > :32:12.this year. -- from Moliano. And two of the others from Moliano are the

:32:13. > :32:19.two props, Derrick Appiah and Simone Ferrari.

:32:20. > :32:24.He has moved them across there, probably because of the fitting, but

:32:25. > :32:29.of the pitch does not seem to be cutting up as badly as I would have

:32:30. > :32:34.expected. John was saying earlier it is a very sandy surface, so it

:32:35. > :32:37.trains very well. -- drains. Just a matter of getting

:32:38. > :32:44.the water off it and letting it settle.

:32:45. > :32:50.And, hopefully, Rupert will be joining Phil Steele at half-time.

:32:51. > :32:56.Just the kicking game I mentioned, Wales have a good tactical kicking

:32:57. > :33:00.game. Byron Hayward, what are you looking to do from the different

:33:01. > :33:06.areas of the field? You mentioned earlier, Ethan has a very cultured

:33:07. > :33:11.left foot. Certainly those deep positions, get

:33:12. > :33:15.the ball long but Horsfield, and give the opportunity for the Welsh

:33:16. > :33:20.boys to challenge at the line-out. He has kicked the ball long and

:33:21. > :33:22.well, but not necessarily off the field command that will be something

:33:23. > :33:30.Byron Hayward will be looking to address at half-time.

:33:31. > :33:35.Back to the place kicking for Ethan Davies this time and he fades it

:33:36. > :33:42.nicely inside the far post. Wales lead 11-3.

:33:43. > :33:49.Mark Taylor, the Wales team manager is with us, the boys are trying to

:33:50. > :33:52.play some attacking rugby despite the underfoot conditions. They have

:33:53. > :33:55.probably played a little bit too much early on in the game, put

:33:56. > :34:00.ourselves under unnecessary pressure, but we are excited.

:34:01. > :34:03.It is just tempering that a little bit. But there is a good attacking

:34:04. > :34:10.philosophy there and hopefully we will carry the ball and -- carry the

:34:11. > :34:13.ball in hand. The Italians like to thrive with the drive rather than

:34:14. > :34:17.the jive, Dorothy? We were expecting that -- don't have

:34:18. > :34:21.the? We were expecting that.

:34:22. > :34:32.Yes, the poet of Phil Steele. Scott Matthews give it his best

:34:33. > :34:42.shot. A bit of a mix-up, through the legs of Dafydd Howells and picked up

:34:43. > :34:45.by Samuel Seno. Wales have had to regroup. They have slowed it down to

:34:46. > :34:49.give themselves every chance to defend.

:34:50. > :35:02.The short ball to Michieletto. And there is Dee and Benjamin both

:35:03. > :35:26.involved. Ricardo Michieletto leading the way.

:35:27. > :35:28.Marco Silva losing a bit of ground, but knocked behind the back foot,

:35:29. > :35:39.that was Will Boyde. I think the referee got that right,

:35:40. > :35:43.coming in from the side. Couple of occasions.

:35:44. > :35:47.That was better than probably more of what we expect from the Italians

:35:48. > :35:53.in the close-up drives. A couple of times, the passes are sort

:35:54. > :35:57.laboured, 23 metres behind the gain line, that Wales are rushing up and

:35:58. > :36:02.the pressure has been excellent by Wales. They have managed to keep

:36:03. > :36:05.hold of the ball. They need to generate that ball a little

:36:06. > :36:11.quicker, the Italians, and just keep the front foot. It is all a bit

:36:12. > :36:22.static, and probably easy for the Welsh to defend.

:36:23. > :36:35.This is the book of Filippo Buscema, that is the only

:36:36. > :36:36.opportunity he has had to date. He has brought them back now within one

:36:37. > :36:49.score. There is a long way to go. There is

:36:50. > :36:57.Mr Gareth Jenkins with some of the young talent available to him.

:36:58. > :37:06.Alan Lewis is alongside him, who is in charge of the under 18 's.

:37:07. > :37:14.We said North Wales has been an important breeding ground for the

:37:15. > :37:19.Scarlets. That is part of their region. Interestingly talking to

:37:20. > :37:27.Robert earlier, they have a couple of boys here know from the Ospreys,

:37:28. > :37:31.some of the blues and the Scarlets. Rupert's team have worked extremely

:37:32. > :37:37.hard and things have ramped up from 2010. When you look at people like

:37:38. > :37:40.Harri Evans and Afon Bagshaw, those are examples of people who have

:37:41. > :37:44.started and come right through the system. George North has come from

:37:45. > :37:50.North Wales, that is well versed, but Afon Bagshaw and Harri Evans are

:37:51. > :37:53.an example of the new generation. There are a number of other new

:37:54. > :37:57.players who are currently involved in under 18s who will be strutting

:37:58. > :38:05.their stuff this time next year for the Under 20s. And there is Afon

:38:06. > :38:11.Bagshaw. From Flint rugby club.

:38:12. > :38:14.He and Harri Evans are both lifeguards in Colwyn Bay and at one

:38:15. > :38:16.stage this afternoon it looked as though they could have come in very

:38:17. > :38:33.handy indeed. James Benjamin. Looking to take

:38:34. > :38:37.Wales away from their online. He looks impressive, doesn't he?

:38:38. > :38:45.We have seen good footwork and good hands from them, as well. He is a

:38:46. > :38:48.good ball carrier for seven. He has played a couple of LV games

:38:49. > :38:52.for the Dragons this year and played a lot more last year but was in the

:38:53. > :38:57.shadow of Ellis Jenkins. He is very well versed with sevens

:38:58. > :39:00.in Wales at the moment and he has a bright future. He is a great

:39:01. > :39:13.footballer and has a fantastic awareness in and around the field.

:39:14. > :39:29.Sebastian Negri with uptake and steel. -- with a cake and steel.

:39:30. > :39:39.Good pressure by Wales. They are competing in the line-out, not just

:39:40. > :39:42.competing in the chicken mackerel but competing once the jumper hits

:39:43. > :39:44.the deck. They are putting a good at a pressure on them at getting what

:39:45. > :40:15.they want. No surprise here, I think every

:40:16. > :40:19.scrum has gone down, more or less. REFEREE: I have a problem with

:40:20. > :40:27.number one. I have a problem. I think he has a problem!

:40:28. > :40:35.The referee turned to Bobby North one day and said, captain, I am not

:40:36. > :40:37.happy with your scrum. Bobby said, you are unhappy with it? ! I was

:40:38. > :41:03.there, I heard it. Good take by James Sheekey, giving

:41:04. > :41:11.them every chance to get the drive going. Led by Scott Matthews. Now

:41:12. > :41:17.slips it to Tom Williams. Inside ball looked forward, and indeed it

:41:18. > :41:18.was. I think that one work early on.

:41:19. > :41:21.It is the second time they have tried that move, getting the ball

:41:22. > :41:26.going wide, trying to commit defenders with a decoy run so there

:41:27. > :41:29.should be space on the inside. That was well covered by the open side,

:41:30. > :41:36.to be fair. It was, except the timing of the run

:41:37. > :41:39.was not great. If a single pass goes a stray or

:41:40. > :41:45.slightly behind, then the move is off. You have to just keep hold of

:41:46. > :41:48.possession. It looked as though they actually had a dogleg from the

:41:49. > :41:53.Italian backs, but the seven got across.

:41:54. > :41:59.He probably learned from earlier. Joshua Adams went through.

:42:00. > :42:04.Yet another scrum goes down. The referee is going to allow this one

:42:05. > :42:14.to come out. I don't quite understand the referee

:42:15. > :42:16.there. It is better for the game as a spectacle, he has not blown up and

:42:17. > :42:29.ordered a penalty. One of Italy's great stall works, is

:42:30. > :42:39.on sport Wales next and Warren Gatland. Wales macro versus Italy

:42:40. > :42:51.from 2006 on Scrum V classic. Then of course the main event from 2pm

:42:52. > :43:01.tomorrow afternoon, kick at 2:30pm, available on the BBC from S4 sea and

:43:02. > :43:03.available on the radio, as well. -- S4C. And a round-up of the

:43:04. > :43:21.weekend's events on Sunday evening. And we will be in a flown next week

:43:22. > :43:33.for the second of the Under 20s fixtures. -- Athlone. A lot of good

:43:34. > :43:37.work by Wales there. It is the moment and the pace, quick

:43:38. > :43:41.delivery, everyone on the front foot, pace coming onto the ball, and

:43:42. > :43:46.unfortunately that kick has just gone astray.

:43:47. > :43:55.Steffan Hughes, just going around having a word with everybody,

:43:56. > :44:00.telling them to keep things going. That is the try scorer, Joshua

:44:01. > :44:06.Adams, and a very well worked move, it was. A quick turn of ball and it

:44:07. > :44:10.could have been one of three in the end.

:44:11. > :44:16.That is a good off-load in the tackle, actually, as well.

:44:17. > :44:20.Yes, they have looked quite impressive in patches, Wales.

:44:21. > :44:24.Considering it is the first time they have come together, they have

:44:25. > :44:28.not had a huge aid of time, they had some sessions before Christmas and

:44:29. > :44:34.more recently a week or so before this game. Yes, as we all know,

:44:35. > :44:37.international preparation is very limited, and that is part and parcel

:44:38. > :44:42.of the developing of these players, to be able to unite a group of

:44:43. > :44:45.players that have not played a great deal together.

:44:46. > :44:49.As I said earlier, it is part and parcel of international rugby. They

:44:50. > :44:53.have two gelled together and come in many respects, this is part of a

:44:54. > :44:58.building block the bigger picture. So far they have done well. I would

:44:59. > :45:02.like to see them build more phases for longer and spend more time in

:45:03. > :45:07.that Italian 22, or certainly attacking third of the pitch.

:45:08. > :45:12.Wales have had the better of the opening half. Certainly

:45:13. > :45:32.territorially. But they have not broken clear yet, by any means. The

:45:33. > :45:42.pressure coming on the Welsh scrum. Not really a threatening option

:45:43. > :45:46.behind by Italy. I think the Italians will just be happy to try

:45:47. > :45:50.to play down in Welsh territory as much as they can. They don't look as

:45:51. > :45:57.if they offer much of a threat behind. They are big and strong,

:45:58. > :45:58.powerful front, as you would expect. That is where the threat is going to

:45:59. > :46:36.come. Great pressure by Wales. Italy left

:46:37. > :46:39.with no real option but to kick. Afon Bagshaw just looked up to see

:46:40. > :46:45.what the options work as the ball was arriving. A lack of

:46:46. > :46:51.concentration. He just lifted his head. He is already looking ahead to

:46:52. > :46:59.see what is in front of him and the mistake is made. Some great pressure

:47:00. > :47:05.by Wales as if they are focusing on the first ball carrier and putting

:47:06. > :47:12.so much pressure on him. It is giving way is a real opportunity to

:47:13. > :47:17.pressurise at the breakdown. -- Wales. Options available for Italy

:47:18. > :47:51.here. Some bad language picked up there on

:47:52. > :48:02.the referee's M. Apologies for that. -- microphone. Ten and 13 directly

:48:03. > :48:12.behind the scrum. It does not matter anyway. The scrum goes down. It will

:48:13. > :48:23.be ten to go for goal. It probably was a penalty. I would just like to

:48:24. > :48:33.see him give some advantage to the Italians. They obviously have

:48:34. > :48:44.something planned. -- had something planned. You could see Callum Lewis

:48:45. > :48:47.folding under that pressure. A six stone advantage. If they get it

:48:48. > :48:53.right, if they technically get it right, it is going to be very

:48:54. > :48:55.difficult to deal with. They have been penalised on a couple of

:48:56. > :49:09.occasions but they have come back from that.

:49:10. > :49:20.Just about crawled over. That will do for Italy. Buscema keeps them in

:49:21. > :49:26.touch with half-time approaching. You have to keep the ball as tight

:49:27. > :49:36.as possible. You have got to play territory. If we can get scrum after

:49:37. > :50:42.scrum, then penalties will come and a win is potentially on the cards.

:50:43. > :51:08.Tom Williams dancing and weaving his way forward towards the Italian 22.

:51:09. > :51:19.Good build-up by Wales. Can they finish it off? Within five

:51:20. > :51:25.metres... Wales can sense the try is on. In the end they go backwards.

:51:26. > :51:48.They still have possession. Italy under pressure. A couple of

:51:49. > :51:56.metres short. Tom Williams driven back there. Still Wales Hang onto

:51:57. > :52:05.the ball and recycle it. Howell 's couldn't hang on to the deep ball.

:52:06. > :52:15.-- to the ball. Waves have got to learn to be patient. There was a lot

:52:16. > :52:21.of good work in there. -- Wales. They started to become a little bit

:52:22. > :52:25.selfish. You cannot force any passes. Just go through the phases.

:52:26. > :52:30.The longer you keep the ball better chance you have got of finding space

:52:31. > :52:35.somewhere. That is something they have to learn. A lot of good play.

:52:36. > :52:42.Very impressed so far with Scott Matthews. His work at the breakdown,

:52:43. > :52:49.he carries aggressively. And Ben Roach as well looked very like --

:52:50. > :52:53.lively. Yes, Ben Roach is a good player. He is returning from a

:52:54. > :53:00.long-standing injury. He is an impressive individual. Both as a

:53:01. > :53:03.rugby player and as a person. He is athletically very good. You have

:53:04. > :53:10.seen a lot of that in the way that he carries the ball. You can see he

:53:11. > :53:15.is very mobile around the field. It is about Wales trying to maintain

:53:16. > :53:22.possession, maintain pressure. If they can do that, hopefully a score

:53:23. > :53:51.or two will come. One before half-time would be handy.

:53:52. > :54:07.Wales exerting pressure at the end of this first half.

:54:08. > :54:16.A little bit overambitious, Wales. Yes, again, talking about being

:54:17. > :54:23.impatient. We have seen them make a mistake. I am pretty convinced that

:54:24. > :54:28.Wales, with the quality we have seen early on, if they keep the ball long

:54:29. > :54:33.enough, they can win this game comfortably. I think patience has

:54:34. > :54:39.been said a couple of times tonight. Italy are not committing men to the

:54:40. > :54:46.breakdown area. If you look across the line, the field is always full.

:54:47. > :54:52.Patients will be very important. Even taking the ball off nine and

:54:53. > :54:57.soaking a few more defenders in. Hopefully that will be prevalent in

:54:58. > :55:20.the second half. The final play of the first half.

:55:21. > :55:29.Gethin Watts will be leaving us during the intervals. Thank you very

:55:30. > :55:38.much, Gethin, for the insights. Certainly it has been illuminating.

:55:39. > :55:51.A good scrum from Wales to finish the half.

:55:52. > :56:14.Wales have one last attack. Matthew is again offering himself.

:56:15. > :56:44.Good defending by Italy. Wales taking it to the Italian defence.

:56:45. > :57:08.A long last passage of play. Wales doing their best to give themselves

:57:09. > :57:25.a bit of a cushion at half-time. Into double figures as far as the

:57:26. > :57:32.phases go. Keeping the Italian defence on it. It has gone forward.

:57:33. > :57:41.And in the end, Wales, way empty-handed from that attack. That

:57:42. > :57:50.is the story of the half. Plenty of possession for Wales, plenty of time

:57:51. > :57:51.spent in the Italy half. Just the one tried from Joshua Adams. Italy

:57:52. > :58:09.still in the hunt. -- one try. After an emotional couple of

:58:10. > :58:14.anthems, the visitors almost struck first. They did score the first

:58:15. > :58:17.penalty. Then Wales struck back. Some slick movement in the three

:58:18. > :58:25.quarters line. They were queueing up to score in the end. It was Josh

:58:26. > :58:31.Adams who did get over the try line. Davies scoring the converging. The

:58:32. > :58:38.Italians kept themselves in touch with a few penalties. 11-9 is the

:58:39. > :58:56.half-time score. Perhaps not reflecting Wales's dominance.

:58:57. > :59:02.Martin, you and I spoke to Byron Hayward before the start of the game

:59:03. > :59:07.and he was determined not to allow the conditions to affect the game.

:59:08. > :59:14.He wanted them to show enterprise and they have done that? Yes, all

:59:15. > :59:19.credit to them. They have really tried to play. Full credit to them.

:59:20. > :59:24.Perhaps they are going wide to early rather than trying to go up the

:59:25. > :59:29.middle. Some great floods in the tackle. They have looked dangerous.

:59:30. > :59:33.Perhaps they were trying to play a little too much, too early. Sean,

:59:34. > :59:41.you have had a look at the first try. They are trying to play with

:59:42. > :59:45.high tempo. I have been particularly impressed by their balance of play.

:59:46. > :59:53.It showed in the try. It came from a loose Italian cake. -- kick. What I

:59:54. > :00:08.have noticed with this Welsh team is they are attacking both sides of the

:00:09. > :00:12.rock. -- ruck. Year outside half kicks it down into Italian territory

:00:13. > :00:14.and they get a good turnover from that.

:00:15. > :00:19.We would expect that forward to perhaps truck this up, but no, he is

:00:20. > :00:23.light on his feet. The group that pulled back to create the width is

:00:24. > :00:27.now in this part of the field and finished off a lovely try. It is the

:00:28. > :00:31.kind of thing Jonathan Davies is crying out for all the time, one

:00:32. > :00:36.more quick pass going forwards. You're keen eyes pointed out it was

:00:37. > :00:42.the back row that created that try. Yes, always the same. It was great

:00:43. > :00:49.work from James Benjamin on this corner.

:00:50. > :00:55.He was first there, great chase. First in and he has taken the ball.

:00:56. > :01:00.He is a seven by trade. He himself and Scott Matthews have been to the

:01:01. > :01:06.fore in that first half. He uses his fur work. I want -- I think Sean

:01:07. > :01:12.Holley alluded to his footwork earlier. Very skilful from James

:01:13. > :01:17.Benjamin. The backs, we all talk about them,

:01:18. > :01:21.but they have been pretty slick at times tonight despite the breezy

:01:22. > :01:26.ball and tough conditions. It is the balance of the attack and the

:01:27. > :01:33.influence of Byron Hayward. Their pattern of play. Let's take a

:01:34. > :01:37.look at off the line-out. Great off the top ball. The detail in the

:01:38. > :01:41.movement of the backs is important, they are all moving together so the

:01:42. > :01:44.outside half has three options. It is very difficult for our defence at

:01:45. > :01:53.high speed to defend this, you just want at gaps, have shoulders.

:01:54. > :01:58.They set the drive, they are looking to create a two against one at the

:01:59. > :02:01.tail of this drive, but no, then they go wide. Look at the influence

:02:02. > :02:07.of this player, this interference is just enough to create half a yard

:02:08. > :02:11.for the winger, Adams. It is his angle, this 45 degrees angle, that

:02:12. > :02:19.is crucial. That interference is just enough for him to get through

:02:20. > :02:25.and Wales are on the attack again. The tag of both sides of the try --

:02:26. > :02:30.ruck is interesting. We would expect both forwards to go around the

:02:31. > :02:34.corner, but not this team, they go against the grain. This group are

:02:35. > :02:38.pulling back again, they tried to expose a weakened defence. There is

:02:39. > :02:42.a nice balance of play and I am looking forward to watching more in

:02:43. > :02:45.this second half. It is interesting stuff comparing the style of play of

:02:46. > :02:49.the Under 20s to the senior side, who we know are used to pummelling

:02:50. > :02:54.the opposition into submission. This site is not the busiest, the

:02:55. > :03:02.PAC has given away six stone to the Italians, and because of that they

:03:03. > :03:04.have dinner -- outmanoeuvred them. They are looking to play with width,

:03:05. > :03:08.you have to play with your strengths.

:03:09. > :03:15.They are throwing it around, and give them credit, because conditions

:03:16. > :03:20.are very tough. They certainly are. This is the curtain raiser to the

:03:21. > :03:23.main event tomorrow, Wales versus Italy as they defend their Six

:03:24. > :03:27.Nations crown tomorrow in Cardiff, and it is the start of a bumper week

:03:28. > :03:31.of Welsh sport. Have you ever wondered how Warren

:03:32. > :03:42.Gatland relaxes away from rugby? Find out next on Sport Wales.

:03:43. > :03:47.Tomorrow, Colin jumps in the Time Machine for Scrum V classics, where

:03:48. > :03:53.we find post grand slam Wales in a spot of bother.

:03:54. > :03:56.Then it is the main event, Wales begin the defence of their Six

:03:57. > :04:07.Nations crown against Italy in Cardiff on BBC Wales and S4C.

:04:08. > :04:12.And, on Sunday, we will have all of the post match reaction and opinion.

:04:13. > :04:16.Next week it is a Ryan Jones's turn to reminisce as we reflect on a

:04:17. > :04:24.Triple Crown winning performance. Wales have won the Triple Crown! And

:04:25. > :04:26.next Friday we travel to Athlone were Wales Under 20s continue their

:04:27. > :04:40.campaign against the men in green. Plenty to look forward to there.

:04:41. > :04:43.Today is the deadline, the day that the regions gave the union for

:04:44. > :04:47.confirming to them what competitions they will be playing in next

:04:48. > :04:53.season. The news I am afraid is that there is no news. Roger Lewis has

:04:54. > :04:56.said today that he does not recognise that deadline and is not

:04:57. > :05:00.working to it. We know that the regions said if they did not have a

:05:01. > :05:04.clear message they would pursue other options, and we know that that

:05:05. > :05:08.may be pursuing other Welsh competitions. They released a

:05:09. > :05:12.statement before we came on air, effectively a statement saying,

:05:13. > :05:16.we're not going to release a statement. They have wished everyone

:05:17. > :05:21.well this weekend, the Welsh women come Under 20s and the seniors

:05:22. > :05:24.tomorrow. But they will be releasing a full statement on Monday outlining

:05:25. > :05:28.their position, and we will wait with bated breath to hear what they

:05:29. > :05:34.have to say on Monday. For now we will go back to Phil Steele who I

:05:35. > :05:45.believe is with Rupert Moon. Yes, now general manager of rugby for

:05:46. > :05:52.ymru -- Cymru. Tell us about this great story.

:05:53. > :05:56.Yes, Harri Evans from Llandudno started off as a steward, that is

:05:57. > :05:58.the holistic approach to clear their element.

:05:59. > :06:06.From there to the pitch and it is fabulous. What will that do from

:06:07. > :06:10.rugby in this area to have two RGC boys playing?

:06:11. > :06:13.This is the oldest two members of the academy to be in the Under 20s.

:06:14. > :06:18.They will be inspiring the young people walking around the field

:06:19. > :06:22.igniting the flame in the brain and they have a chat is to get on the

:06:23. > :06:25.field themselves. RGC are doing and well themselves in the Championship,

:06:26. > :06:30.second behind portrayal. When you spoke to Scrum V last year

:06:31. > :06:34.you had a five-year plan. We are still on course, we were fortunate

:06:35. > :06:37.to get out of the Championship, it was a tough level of experience and

:06:38. > :06:40.we are playing a good level of rugby.

:06:41. > :06:43.We are learning the right to be in second place. Within five years we

:06:44. > :06:49.want to be in the Premiership, but we will have to earn that. The crowd

:06:50. > :06:52.are coming, and it is great to see over 5000 here again tonight. I know

:06:53. > :06:57.it is your birthday tomorrow, 46, many happy returns.

:06:58. > :07:03.Give us a prediction? Wales will win, it will be a tough

:07:04. > :07:04.second half, 25-13. There we are, Rupert Moon, 25 caps for Wales and

:07:05. > :07:13.that one. Here is the team to take the field

:07:14. > :07:16.against Italy tomorrow, the backline virtually picks itself. No done

:07:17. > :07:22.Davies, he switches to outside centre. Jamie Roberts is back after

:07:23. > :07:24.missing the open ice what test. The big question was picking Rhys

:07:25. > :07:35.Priestland. Justin to bridge has been selected

:07:36. > :07:37.on the side ahead of the captain, Sam Warburton, who is on the bench

:07:38. > :07:51.after recovering from that shoulder injury. -- Justin Tipuric. And we

:07:52. > :07:55.can now see Toby fallow doe, who now wants to be referred to as his

:07:56. > :08:04.official name, Tauleta. Just looking at the names on that

:08:05. > :08:09.list, it is a very powerful side, a fit side.

:08:10. > :08:13.The advantage we have nearly of the other team in the Six Nations, they

:08:14. > :08:18.know exact and what they want to do. There are no grey areas, they know

:08:19. > :08:26.their game plan. They have young, experienced backline because of

:08:27. > :08:30.injuries and that could have been an eye-opener for them. Warren Gatland

:08:31. > :08:34.does like Rhys Priestland away, he gets that backline moving.

:08:35. > :08:39.For me he is fantastic. We have generally got three

:08:40. > :08:43.international class outside half. Yet been outstanding for the

:08:44. > :08:48.Ospreys, he probably does bring a different attacking and bench --

:08:49. > :08:50.dimension, silly as the first to shout tomorrow and has to make the

:08:51. > :08:54.most of it. Sean Holley, you know Dan Biggar

:08:55. > :08:58.very well, it has he been hard done by?

:08:59. > :09:01.He has a little bit, but you always get the feeling that if Rhys

:09:02. > :09:06.Priestland hit any form Warren Gatland will pick him.

:09:07. > :09:09.He has been showing some real form so if he plays well tomorrow and

:09:10. > :09:12.Jonathan Davies comes through his cup game, a big selection dilemma

:09:13. > :09:17.for next week, who will be in the centre?

:09:18. > :09:23.We may well be looking at the next Rhys Priestland or Scott Williams,

:09:24. > :09:26.Wales are back out, the second half is about to get underway, so we will

:09:27. > :09:30.return to our commentary team, Rob Jones and Gareth Charles.

:09:31. > :09:37.Thank you very much, Ross. No changes during the interval.

:09:38. > :09:48.Interesting to see what adjustments the Welsh boys make in this second

:09:49. > :09:54.half. The statistics are showing in terms of possession and territory,

:09:55. > :09:59.they are pretty dominant, but still just a 2-point lead.

:10:00. > :10:03.Will the Italians be able to keep up this rearguard action and sneak

:10:04. > :10:17.their first ever win against Wales? Wales looking for another win after

:10:18. > :10:21.their successful campaign last year. Just as happened in the first-half,

:10:22. > :10:28.the team and that bottom left-hand corner in a great of trouble.

:10:29. > :10:34.He might have scored. Fantastic pressure, Dafydd Howells initially

:10:35. > :10:37.on the kick. Then having to make the tackle on Buscema. I am just

:10:38. > :10:38.wondering whether they got over on the ball, then they managed to get

:10:39. > :11:03.the ball down. Let's have a look, it depends what

:11:04. > :11:07.angles we have got. You just have a feeling that, I'm not sure who it

:11:08. > :11:11.was, it might have been Dafydd Howells coming in there. Here we

:11:12. > :11:15.are, Dafydd Howells going over the top comedy is on his feet. Does he

:11:16. > :11:22.get the ball and is it down? It is in a Welsh hand...

:11:23. > :11:30.Great tackle, and impose Dafydd Howells. -- and in goes. Dafydd

:11:31. > :11:33.Howells with the head guard on looked to have it.

:11:34. > :11:37.Is there an arm? Is there a leg? There are all kinds

:11:38. > :11:41.of questions to be answered. I think the problem here is again

:11:42. > :11:44.whether we have got the right camera angle.

:11:45. > :11:48.Great following up from Harri Evans. Fantastic tackle.

:11:49. > :11:51.That is the pressure on the kick to start with, then Harri Evans, the

:11:52. > :11:56.local boy. He has got that ball there.

:11:57. > :12:09.It is just whether he has got that ball down or not.

:12:10. > :12:12.That leg comes in the way just at the crucial moment. You can see that

:12:13. > :12:38.downward pressure. how is your French, Rob?

:12:39. > :12:43.! I could see that coming, because he shook his head. I don't

:12:44. > :12:50.understand a word of French. It just wasn't clear enough.

:12:51. > :12:53.But you want to start the second half well. And Wales have done that.

:12:54. > :13:09.Great chance here now. At least when Nigel Owens is the

:13:10. > :13:11.referee and Tim Hayes is the TMO, we have a fighting chance of

:13:12. > :13:16.understanding what they are seeing in Welsh!

:13:17. > :13:25.Yes, I will have to pick up a little bit more French in the coming years.

:13:26. > :13:33.I did have an all level in French, maybe that would have helped.

:13:34. > :13:37.A great position for Wales in the second half. Nobody in position on

:13:38. > :13:38.the blindside. They have to get the ball out and they do. James

:13:39. > :13:47.Benjamin. Tom Williams arrives, to Elliot Dee.

:13:48. > :13:54.Effective ball carrying by the Route 14 Scott Matthews. -- group

:13:55. > :14:07.one, four Scott Matthews. Stephan Howells still on his feet,

:14:08. > :14:11.he has done extremely well as the Welsh skipper.

:14:12. > :14:15.They did not need the inside ball that time, that is where the

:14:16. > :14:22.defenders were waiting. They did well to hold on to that.

:14:23. > :14:23.Tom Williams has bought himself. Benjamin ready to take over as a

:14:24. > :14:37.scrum-half. They just need to keep composed.

:14:38. > :14:41.They are not committing a huge number, if any, to the breakdown. It

:14:42. > :14:48.is only the tackle, really. That is a great hit by Derrick Appiah.

:14:49. > :14:57.But Wales recycle the ball again. Dafydd Howells. Great strength from

:14:58. > :15:01.Howells, almost got there a second time. Benjamin stopped just short of

:15:02. > :15:03.the line. Williams picks out Callum Lewis!

:15:04. > :15:18.So tantalisingly close. It all comes to nothing for Wales.

:15:19. > :15:22.Well, you can talk about... I think Wales -- Wales have to take into

:15:23. > :15:27.account they have to be a little bit tight. They have to get to the ruck

:15:28. > :15:32.little bit more, but credit to a fantastic Italian defence. It was

:15:33. > :15:36.not just the big hits, but the discipline, communication, their

:15:37. > :15:42.ability to plug all the gaps and Wade and close in.

:15:43. > :15:45.-- out wide. Once Callum Lewis is isolated of the

:15:46. > :15:49.managed to commit more players because the opportunity is there,

:15:50. > :15:51.great work. Did he have it in him to stretch out

:15:52. > :16:11.for the line? He held on a bit too long.

:16:12. > :16:15.Wales need to learn from that. Just over 3000 at Parc Eirias. Not a

:16:16. > :16:26.sell-out but it has been a horrible day. You work so hard to win

:16:27. > :16:30.possession. To get the ball downfield. And then you give it all

:16:31. > :16:36.away with a poor kick. The forwards have worked their socks off

:16:37. > :16:37.defensively there. Now they find themselves under pressure because of

:16:38. > :17:17.a loose cake by Buscema. -- kick. A slightly different approach from

:17:18. > :17:43.Wales. Keeping it little tighter. Can they finish it this time? There

:17:44. > :17:55.has been great scrambled defence by Italy on a number of occasions. He

:17:56. > :18:02.has carried well, hasn't he? They have dropped it. Again at the

:18:03. > :18:09.crucial moment, William Boyd could not hang on. Constant pressure from

:18:10. > :18:14.Wales. Great defensive work by the Italians. If they can keep

:18:15. > :18:21.frustrating Wales, they have a chance. I am just wondering if Wales

:18:22. > :18:32.can learn from not committing huge numbers to the breakdown. Owen

:18:33. > :18:38.Williams has joined us. It would be quicker getting home tonight and it

:18:39. > :18:47.will -- then it is walking from the dressing room to the commentary box!

:18:48. > :18:54.Gareth Jenkins, former Wales coach and former Welsh international here.

:18:55. > :18:58.This is your raison d'etre to night. Her impressive has this Prime

:18:59. > :19:02.Minister's Questions It is always a great pleasure to come to North

:19:03. > :19:10.Wales for these games. It is the third year now. It is a real

:19:11. > :19:16.international occasion. Congratulations to North Wales. This

:19:17. > :19:21.is a very important building block really for a future international

:19:22. > :19:26.rugby players. 80% of the current national team would have come

:19:27. > :19:32.through this programme. Every year it is always about the new talent

:19:33. > :19:36.and who the next generation of future international players and

:19:37. > :19:47.regional players will be. The system is working? Absolutely. It is a huge

:19:48. > :19:53.success. We will break off a minute while Wales attack.

:19:54. > :20:03.A chance to clear the decks again for Italy. So far it has been all

:20:04. > :20:12.Welsh pressure in the second half. Buscema living dangerously. Running

:20:13. > :20:24.into trouble. Support was on hand. They cannot get away from their own

:20:25. > :20:35.try line. Azzolini weights. -- awaits.

:20:36. > :20:54.It is relentless pressure from Wales. What they need below is an

:20:55. > :21:06.end product. -- what they need though. Changing the angle of

:21:07. > :21:15.attack, bringing in Ben Roach. They feel that they have to give sooner

:21:16. > :21:22.or later. A few metres short. A little bit of respite for Italy

:21:23. > :21:28.again. Yes, it is time and time again, isn't it? They are keeping

:21:29. > :21:32.their defensive discipline. When they are under huge pressure, they

:21:33. > :21:45.keep turning ball over. Good work by Appiah. Driving over.

:21:46. > :21:49.As Buscema put the ball out of play. We can rejoin Phil and Gareth

:21:50. > :21:53.Jenkins. The other interesting thing about

:21:54. > :22:00.this area of North Wales is there is a lot of talent here. This is where

:22:01. > :22:08.you found George North? Yes, he came from North Wales as a 16-year-old.

:22:09. > :22:14.We watched him play under 16. He was an outstanding talent. That talent

:22:15. > :22:19.has emerged into a world-class star and he is only a young man now.

:22:20. > :22:25.Anybody you have been impressed with out there tonight? Yes, there are

:22:26. > :22:31.always talented individuals. But more importantly, it is seeing these

:22:32. > :22:35.boys exposed to International Rugby Board this is different than the

:22:36. > :22:41.week in, week out these boys belong to. Most of these boys will be

:22:42. > :22:47.academy players. They will have been identified as potential regional

:22:48. > :22:51.players. There are a couple tonight who are not involved in academies.

:22:52. > :23:03.The good thing about this level of rugby is there is late entry. A

:23:04. > :23:07.quick prediction for tomorrow? I would have thought that Wales will

:23:08. > :23:13.be pretty comfortable tomorrow. I cannot see Italy doing anything

:23:14. > :23:18.except being competitive. They have a problem at halfback and we look

:23:19. > :23:27.strong across the selection. Thank you, Gareth. Former Welsh

:23:28. > :23:33.international. Thanks, Phil. The pressure is still

:23:34. > :23:39.coming on from the men in red. There are still some thumping tackles from

:23:40. > :23:47.the boys in blue. There are. Appiah has made half a dozen huge tackles

:23:48. > :23:50.throughout this game. It is good to see Dafydd Howells getting involved.

:23:51. > :23:57.We did not see him in the first half. He is looking for the ball.

:23:58. > :24:13.Sorry, that was not Appiah. That was one of the second rows. A big hit.

:24:14. > :24:20.Elliot Dee is leaving the field. Scott often comes on to replace him.

:24:21. > :24:29.-- Scott Otten. The Welsh boys need a little bit of composure. You need

:24:30. > :24:33.the halfbacks to slow the ball down, bring the forwards together and make

:24:34. > :24:40.the hard yards. Ten minutes of constant pressure from Wales has not

:24:41. > :24:48.yielded a try but it has resulted in the first three points of the second

:24:49. > :24:54.half from Davies. I think Wales should pick and drive through the

:24:55. > :25:02.ruck and the Kell Brook. Everything is moving probably two passes away.

:25:03. > :25:13.They have got numbers out there. -- bowl.

:25:14. > :25:32.Michieletto is leaving. Scalvi is on for the final half hour.

:25:33. > :25:42.You would have thought that this will take its toll on Italy by the

:25:43. > :25:51.end. Yes, you would have thought so. They have worked so hard.

:25:52. > :26:05.That would be disappointing for Italy, having got themselves into

:26:06. > :26:06.the Welsh 22 for the first time in the second half. They immediately

:26:07. > :26:37.lose possession. Italy happy to scramble the ball off

:26:38. > :26:47.the park. They did well to get back there. There was a lot of space. It

:26:48. > :26:58.was a good little kick from Steffan Hughes in the first place. Good

:26:59. > :27:01.pressure from Tom Williams. He made the kick and the clearance so

:27:02. > :27:09.difficult for the Italian outside half.

:27:10. > :27:21.Wales get the drive on. A good shape to that driving line-out. Scott

:27:22. > :27:37.Matthews leaves it to Williams. In the end, the tackle.

:27:38. > :27:51.Slow ball this time. They will need the forwards to take it up. Ready to

:27:52. > :28:07.do some more hard graft and carrying.

:28:08. > :28:24.Wales camped in Italian territory. Again, so close.

:28:25. > :28:37.Tom Williams dives underneath! In the end, the tribe had to come. It

:28:38. > :28:46.is James Benjamin, the number eight, who get it eventually. Great

:28:47. > :28:53.pressure from Wales. James Benjamin, just reward for all of the Welsh

:28:54. > :28:59.pressure. Elliot Dee, Scott Matthews, James Benjamin and Tom

:29:00. > :29:04.Williams have been very sharp. Constantly crossing the gain line.

:29:05. > :29:13.Carrying well. Good football amongst the four of them. One of them

:29:14. > :29:16.deserved a score. The defenders were focusing on the ball. Then they

:29:17. > :29:25.moved away and looked at the referee. At that instant, Benjamin

:29:26. > :29:31.dives over. A conversion from Ethan Davies. The scoreboard has a better

:29:32. > :29:36.look about it now. They just went a little bit closer to the fringes.

:29:37. > :29:41.Tom Williams made the initial break. They have been patient. No rush.

:29:42. > :29:53.Kept the ball. A clinical finish from Benjamin. He has been very

:29:54. > :29:56.impressive. OK, an element of luck there, but which was he has got

:29:57. > :29:59.football in him. He has got footwork, he is

:30:00. > :30:05.powerful, great handling skills, as well.

:30:06. > :30:12.Italy, ringing the changes. They see the game slowly slipping

:30:13. > :30:34.away from them. There is no holding back on the

:30:35. > :30:40.tackles from either side and he has stayed down. -- Di Giulio has stayed

:30:41. > :30:50.down. Not too many options behind for

:30:51. > :30:59.Italy, and that is a poor kick in the end. That was poor. All from the

:31:00. > :31:01.pressure of the Welsh defence, who had great line speed.

:31:02. > :31:06.They have just forced Italy back with nowhere to go. It forced them

:31:07. > :31:09.into a poor kick. Really impressed with the defence tonight, plenty of

:31:10. > :31:12.energy, they are all working together and have defended really

:31:13. > :31:19.well. The stats are incredible, even more

:31:20. > :31:21.than we thought, 78% possession and 90% territory in the 16 minutes that

:31:22. > :31:33.we have had. Great vision, OK, not where he

:31:34. > :31:37.wanted it to go, but it ended up in the hands of a Welsh player. It is

:31:38. > :31:43.just having the confidence and the footballing skill to do it. Yes,

:31:44. > :31:46.took the ball from under Tom Williams's knows, really, but took

:31:47. > :31:50.the responsibility, even though he was so close to a lot of defenders

:31:51. > :31:57.around him, but he knew where the try line was.

:31:58. > :32:00.Dragons have good prospects in that back row.

:32:01. > :32:06.Defensively, very explosive. We have spoken about Benjamin might, but

:32:07. > :32:09.you'd prospects for the Dragons. That pass was like Williams. Or like

:32:10. > :32:42.Justin Tipuric! Just losing possession a little bit

:32:43. > :32:49.too easily, and disappointed with themselves.

:32:50. > :32:55.Wales look a bit more confident now. I think there were frustrated early

:32:56. > :33:01.on in this half. It is always difficult when the

:33:02. > :33:05.Italians are more than two scores than commit deflates you a little

:33:06. > :33:10.bit. You look at the scoreboard with 20 minutes to go and know you are a

:33:11. > :33:14.long way behind. They will be deflated and Wales need to keep the

:33:15. > :33:17.food on them. Wales have obviously dominated

:33:18. > :33:21.territory and possession, but they have looked so much more dangerous.

:33:22. > :33:25.Italy come on the occasions they have had possession, have not looked

:33:26. > :33:31.threatening at all. There is a bit of a reflection of

:33:32. > :33:36.the main team in it, really, very strong up front, very organised

:33:37. > :33:39.defensively. Exactly, tomorrow I think they will be competitive for a

:33:40. > :33:42.long time in the game and Wales have to be patient.

:33:43. > :33:44.You would see the quality should come through, particularly on both

:33:45. > :33:55.backplanes. -- bike lines. I think it will be quite a

:33:56. > :34:01.comfortable win tomorrow, to be honest. Wales have not been together

:34:02. > :34:05.for a while, but... We always start slow for some reason, I don't know

:34:06. > :34:09.why. But, yes, I think it is a settled

:34:10. > :34:16.team. As I have learned a few times in the

:34:17. > :34:22.past, never underestimate bitterly. -- Italy.

:34:23. > :34:26.And a chance for Byron Hayward to have a look at more squad players in

:34:27. > :34:54.a second. A couple more replacements, Connor

:34:55. > :34:58.Lloyd and Scott Andrews. I have been impressed with the Welsh

:34:59. > :35:02.scrum, even though there are giving away six stone they are holding

:35:03. > :35:08.their own. They are a big side, but the Welsh

:35:09. > :35:16.pack has done really well. Tom Williams has been very lively, very

:35:17. > :35:26.sharp. Yes, Robert Jones- esque.

:35:27. > :35:34.A nice little show and go from Sebastian Negri.

:35:35. > :35:38.Buscema looking for a bit of space for his winger, but just a little

:35:39. > :35:53.bit too close to the touchline. Maybe they would be better keeping

:35:54. > :35:56.the ball in play, the Welsh my notes have gone reasonably well.

:35:57. > :36:19.-- Welsh line-outs. The replacements combining, Scott to

:36:20. > :36:22.the floor, and Scott Andrews is the line-out provider. And there is

:36:23. > :36:31.another one, the scrum-half, Connor Lloyd. -- Scott Orden is the floor.

:36:32. > :36:49.-- Scott Otten with the throw. I did not get cramp at that age, did

:36:50. > :36:56.you? It is interesting talking to get in

:36:57. > :36:59.-- Gethin Jenkins about the Under 20s, it is all about giving young

:37:00. > :37:04.players an opportunity and developing a squad for the World

:37:05. > :37:09.Cup, and that is very much what Byron Hayward will be doing this

:37:10. > :37:13.year. Markey, a lot of substitute coming

:37:14. > :37:17.on now, but this is probably something you have to do every year?

:37:18. > :37:21.This is a very intense season for the boys.

:37:22. > :37:25.It is vitally important for us to develop strength and depth in these

:37:26. > :37:29.positions, particularly in the World Cup with a four-day tournament.

:37:30. > :37:34.It is vital we have boys ready to come off the rack to play rugby.

:37:35. > :37:38.These initial two or three games you will see a lot of the rotation of

:37:39. > :37:42.the team to make sure you can go to that intense competition of the

:37:43. > :37:45.World Cup. Are you pleased so far? Yes, a lot better in the second

:37:46. > :37:50.half, a lot of possession and some points on the board.

:37:51. > :37:53.I should tell you before we can't back to you that Sam Warburton has

:37:54. > :38:02.tweeted Martyn Williams's second name. He now has 150,000 followers.

:38:03. > :38:12.There is just no respect from these youngsters.

:38:13. > :38:21.REFEREE: Number seven, come down please.

:38:22. > :38:31.That was that line speed again from the Welsh team, some fantastic work.

:38:32. > :38:35.As we said at half-time, there is a contrast between what we see in the

:38:36. > :38:38.Under 20s and what we know Wales will play tomorrow and for the rest

:38:39. > :38:42.of the tournament, as they have done for the last two years. The

:38:43. > :38:46.attacking has been different, defence has been very similar,

:38:47. > :38:51.getting off the line very quickly. It is interesting to see the

:38:52. > :38:55.contrast. Different sorts of players in both teams, so Byron Hayward is

:38:56. > :39:11.obviously playing what he thinks are their strengths.

:39:12. > :39:27.Will Boyde being replaced by Leigh Griffiths. -- Ollie Griffiths.

:39:28. > :39:36.Nice little half break and flick out from Ethan Davies. Ollie Griffiths

:39:37. > :39:41.straight in on the action and making quite an impression. Also managing

:39:42. > :39:59.to stay on the right side of the whitewash.

:40:00. > :40:06.Steffan Hughes has been leading by example in the second half, the

:40:07. > :40:07.Welsh skipper. Taking the game to Italy and supporting well. Harri

:40:08. > :40:16.Evans showing up well, as well. Matthews has an extremely well to

:40:17. > :40:21.create something out of nothing for Ben Roach.

:40:22. > :40:29.Years of his feet. I don't think he was supporting his

:40:30. > :40:34.own body weight there, but he has got away with it. He has got that

:40:35. > :40:40.wrong, he was on his knees, basically.

:40:41. > :40:47.REFEREE: You are not releasing the ball, free kick.

:40:48. > :40:50.Thank you, number four. I didn't think Ben Roach thought

:40:51. > :40:57.there was a problem, the same as we thought.

:40:58. > :41:06.Perhaps we are doing him an injustice. You can see his legs off

:41:07. > :41:13.the ground. Initially he is OK. He is floating in midair!

:41:14. > :41:20.A big round of applause for Ethan Davies.

:41:21. > :41:28.He has played well, mixed it up pretty well tonight. A good kicking

:41:29. > :41:31.game. Again, the Dragons have a bit of

:41:32. > :41:36.depth coming through, haven't the? In a year or so, these guys could

:41:37. > :41:46.well feature regularly at the Dragons.

:41:47. > :41:53.And it is changes all-round, because the new scrum-half has come on,

:41:54. > :42:02.which means the previous one has gone to fullback, it was the winger

:42:03. > :42:10.who came off. Simone Parisotto's first free kick easily fielded by

:42:11. > :42:27.Steffan Hughes. Straight out. He was not happy with that.

:42:28. > :42:35.Just going through a little quiet period at the moment for Wales, but

:42:36. > :42:38.they have done the hard work. They have really upped the tempo in that

:42:39. > :42:44.third quarter and got the reward, which has given them the breathing

:42:45. > :42:49.space. With all the changes, as well, it is bound to disrupt the

:42:50. > :42:52.patterns. It is important to give these boys gametime, as well. Great

:42:53. > :42:57.tackle again by Scott Matthews. That one was a real hospital pass

:42:58. > :43:14.for Lazzaroni. Really impressive.

:43:15. > :43:18.The pressure they are putting on. That is 40 metres they have sent

:43:19. > :43:21.them back now. It is the first ball receiver, the

:43:22. > :43:28.target him and run hard, quickly, pressurising. They were all in

:43:29. > :43:28.there. Scott Matthews, scored the chop tackle.

:43:29. > :43:40.He is not going anywhere here. It was interesting talking to Rhys

:43:41. > :43:45.Priestland earlier in the week when the Under 20s were training in the

:43:46. > :43:50.barn one-day, a player wandered in and this they said, wait until

:43:51. > :43:56.tomorrow when we are training with you. I used to love those sessions,

:43:57. > :43:59.the 20-year-old is full of enthusiasm on Tuesday morning.

:44:00. > :44:04.It is invaluable for the preparation, but as you get

:44:05. > :44:05.older... It is invaluable preparation for these guys, as well,

:44:06. > :44:16.what an opportunity. Well, the tacklers have been reining

:44:17. > :44:21.in on both sides, there is no letup, to be fair.

:44:22. > :44:25.It is not good enough any more to make a tackle. It is all about

:44:26. > :44:31.winning that game, it is so physical. You take your hat off to

:44:32. > :44:34.these guys for full on commitment. In my days it was use the momentum

:44:35. > :44:36.of the ball carrier to get him to the deck.

:44:37. > :44:42.Get your arms to his legs and allow him to fall. As long as you went to

:44:43. > :44:47.ground, most people were happy, but now it is all about the game line.

:44:48. > :44:50.The impacts in the tackle, these big men can it really is so physical

:44:51. > :44:52.these days. I am glad we are up now Rob. I have

:44:53. > :45:52.been up here a long time! That was a very good Welsh scrum.

:45:53. > :45:59.The scrum coach will be very happy tonight. Technically, very strong.

:46:00. > :46:04.They will probably get stronger as well. They have got some second rows

:46:05. > :46:20.to come back. They will be given an opportunity. The aggressive nature

:46:21. > :46:22.both ball carrying and defensively has been fantastic. They have set

:46:23. > :47:00.down a marker tonight. They have. Luke Price pushes the ball wide. You

:47:01. > :47:07.do not see that very often. These guys spend a lot of time on the

:47:08. > :47:21.training field. Give him a little bit of an excuse, the wind has

:47:22. > :48:03.picked up. It would be nice to score a few more tries.

:48:04. > :48:32.I would like to see them go to the corner now. Good decision.

:48:33. > :48:45.I think that sums up what Martin just said, the wind picking. --

:48:46. > :48:57.picking up. It looks as if it is blustering.

:48:58. > :49:07.You cannot use the wind if you had -- if you haven't got any ball.

:49:08. > :49:22.Benjamin Leung, almost tipping the scales at 20 stone. Wales have used

:49:23. > :49:31.all of their replacements. The biggest cheer of the night for Harri

:49:32. > :49:36.Evans, the local boy. He has been very good. Very direct. Constantly

:49:37. > :49:42.breaking tackles. He has looked sharp. He has been impressive. Mark

:49:43. > :49:46.Taylor spoke about him beforehand and thought that he had a bright

:49:47. > :49:53.future. On the evidence of what we have seen tonight, I think he is

:49:54. > :49:59.right. Both local boys. Afon Bagshaw has been strong as well. It is great

:50:00. > :50:15.to see some local players coming through again. A half decent player

:50:16. > :50:30.in his day, Mark Taylor. Yes, he was all right!

:50:31. > :50:34.That would be frustrating for Byron Hayward. They have got to get the

:50:35. > :51:51.set pieces right in key areas. Eventually Italy lose possession.

:51:52. > :52:14.They go back to the initial not gone which will give them the scrum.

:52:15. > :52:21.While there is a break in play, let's hear some views from Sean

:52:22. > :52:27.Holley. Yes, lots of good performances

:52:28. > :52:33.tonight from Elliot Dee in particular. And Tom Williams. It is

:52:34. > :52:38.nice to see a young Welsh nine chasing things down. When he has had

:52:39. > :52:49.a chance, he has had a little run. He set up a second try for Wales.

:52:50. > :52:56.Robert Jones, what is your decision on the man of the match? Yes, Tom

:52:57. > :53:01.Williams has certainly been in the mix. His service has been good. But

:53:02. > :53:07.my man of the match is number seven, Scott Matthews. He probably just

:53:08. > :53:10.pips James Benjamin. His work at the breakdown, his ability to cross the

:53:11. > :53:16.gain line. He has been very impressive. We have seen him make

:53:17. > :53:26.the tackles, take people down straightaway, do not give them

:53:27. > :53:28.momentum. And he gets just a recognition from

:53:29. > :53:41.the crowd for his efforts. The Cross flanker. Five tries in 15

:53:42. > :54:05.games for his club. It has been an excellent defensive

:54:06. > :54:46.effort from Wales as well. 30-23 a couple of years ago was the

:54:47. > :54:56.closest that Italy have got to Wales. Scott Matthews was in there.

:54:57. > :55:01.But you have got to listen to the referee. He did say hands. You have

:55:02. > :55:07.got to get away. You have got to keep your discipline. He has been

:55:08. > :55:12.fantastic at the breakdown. He is leading at the defensive work.

:55:13. > :55:20.Putting huge pressure on ten will stop --. That was so disappointing

:55:21. > :55:26.from an Italian point of view. They have had precious little opportunity

:55:27. > :55:31.and that one was wasted. Phil... Yes, a couple of regions in action

:55:32. > :55:44.tonight. Blues have beaten Scarlets. And the ospreys are trailing 36, 27

:55:45. > :55:54.to sail. With due respect to Martin Elwyn, I did not give Rupert Moon

:55:55. > :56:26.his full credit. His full name is Rupert Selwyn Barker moan. -- moon.

:56:27. > :56:37.Well, well, well. Exactly the same place it ends up. Alexander Troncon

:56:38. > :56:44.has his head in his hands. It must be hugely frustrating. There he is.

:56:45. > :56:58.Not a happy chappie. It is the little things. You cannot fault the

:56:59. > :57:03.effort. With the amount of ball that Wales have had, you would have

:57:04. > :57:12.expected them to win by 40 or 50 points. And they probably would have

:57:13. > :57:23.done if it wasn't for the Italian defensive effort.

:57:24. > :57:35.The ball probably travelled forward because of the momentum. It was

:57:36. > :57:43.marginal. It is all about the hands these days. Which position at the

:57:44. > :57:47.hands in? I would love to have seen Dafydd Howells have some more ball.

:57:48. > :57:51.He does look very sharp. He is light on his feet but he is strong as

:57:52. > :57:58.well. Hopefully we will see more of him as this tournament goes on. The

:57:59. > :58:06.laws of physics baffle me on that one as well.

:58:07. > :58:13.It will be a long old journey back to Cardiff tonight. It will be an

:58:14. > :58:18.even longer journey home for Alexander Troncon. There has been a

:58:19. > :58:22.lot of fight from this Italian team but not enough quality in the end.

:58:23. > :58:30.The Welsh boys have had plenty of both. They have had to work hard for

:58:31. > :58:34.their victory. They have had to stick at it, the first out in

:58:35. > :58:36.particular. There was a lot of attacking intent, a lot of good

:58:37. > :58:43.approach work with very little end result. But they have taken their

:58:44. > :58:48.chances. And the one chance in the second half, James Benjamin, to add

:58:49. > :59:03.to the early try of Joshua Adams. That will see them home. The final

:59:04. > :59:07.play of the game now. And Italy, as they have been from most of the

:59:08. > :59:19.game, certainly most of the second half, in their own territory. They

:59:20. > :59:27.will have two run it and try to salvage something from their visit

:59:28. > :59:40.to Parc Eirias. They want to go for a scrum. I said they were quite

:59:41. > :59:45.powerful in the scrum. They are enjoying themselves! It is good to

:59:46. > :59:59.see. So will the belts Management. -- the Welsh management.

:00:00. > :00:10.Ireland under 20 have beaten the Scots enough alone. That is where

:00:11. > :00:12.Wales have to go next week. That will be some contest. Ireland always

:00:13. > :00:35.strong at this level. Wales looking to end with a third

:00:36. > :00:42.try. Still keeping ball. Still thumping away at this Italian

:00:43. > :00:44.defence. They would love the local boy, Bagshaw, to get on the

:00:45. > :01:13.scoresheet. He is doing his best. Dafydd Howells crosses over! And

:01:14. > :01:19.Wales, right at the very end, do get a third try. That is the icing on

:01:20. > :01:31.the cake. Dafydd Howells makes it an emphatic start for Wales. Fantastic

:01:32. > :01:32.work. Right at the death. Still more than prepared to keep the ball

:01:33. > :01:44.alive. He has just taken it away from the

:01:45. > :01:47.touchline and uses his strength to get across. Certainly the second

:01:48. > :01:54.party has been far more involved and looks dangerous. Great passing

:01:55. > :02:00.fairness from Luke Price. It put him into a bit of space. From start to

:02:01. > :02:05.finish, Wales have worked their socks off. Great fitness, great

:02:06. > :02:08.power, great pace, good temple in their game, and Byron Hayward

:02:09. > :02:17.overall I think we'll be delighted with what he has seen tonight. -- I

:02:18. > :02:23.think will be delighted. Luke Price, from the right-hand side

:02:24. > :02:30.touchline. To round off the evening for Wales.

:02:31. > :02:38.Has he drawn it in the enough? Not quite. Just outside, but that

:02:39. > :02:42.doesn't matter, that does not take any of the gloss off of the Welsh

:02:43. > :02:49.performance, and the scoreline come eventually, a reflection of the way

:02:50. > :02:54.the game had gone for Wales. They dominated throughout and eventually

:02:55. > :02:58.wore down a very determined Italian defence. They got three tries to

:02:59. > :03:05.nil, did not concede a single point in the second half and after coming

:03:06. > :03:10.so close to glory last year and in the World Championship, the Welsh

:03:11. > :03:13.Under 20s have got this year's Six Nations campaign off to an excellent

:03:14. > :03:20.start. Byron Hayward and his team could not

:03:21. > :03:24.have asked much more than that. Not too much offered in terms of attack

:03:25. > :03:28.from Italy, but certainly they gave it all in defence and Wales had to

:03:29. > :03:35.keep them calm and composed and that is what they did. And eventually

:03:36. > :03:41.their class told and Steffan Hughes will lead off a victorious Welsh

:03:42. > :03:45.team. That is an excellent start to the Six Nations for them. Wales

:03:46. > :03:51.Under 20s have beaten their Italian counterparts by 26 points-9.

:03:52. > :03:59.In the end, three tries in all, Joshua Adams crossing the first half

:04:00. > :04:02.after some slick backplate from his three quarters. Then James Benjamin

:04:03. > :04:06.capping a fine individual performance with a try of his own

:04:07. > :04:13.just after half-time. Then Dafydd Howells, the Wales cap, putting a

:04:14. > :04:19.gloss on the stalling with this third try deep in injury time, 26-9

:04:20. > :04:23.the final score here at Eirias Park. We can go straight down to Phil

:04:24. > :04:26.Steele with the captain. Steffan Hughes, many congratulations on the

:04:27. > :04:30.win, your first as captain. How pleasing was it? Yes, it was

:04:31. > :04:34.very pleasing. There were a lot of things we worked

:04:35. > :04:37.on in the week that we managed to get into the game and is great to

:04:38. > :04:42.get off to a good start. I am proud of the effort the boys made. We have

:04:43. > :04:45.some work to do by next week but I am really pleased. You are now one

:04:46. > :04:50.of the old heads in the side, how pleased were you the youngsters?

:04:51. > :04:53.They were fantastic, there is a great group of youngsters there and

:04:54. > :04:54.they showed what they can do, and hopefully we can make it further

:04:55. > :05:02.into the tournament. It will be a bit different next week

:05:03. > :05:08.in Athlone. Really excited to go out next week.

:05:09. > :05:10.I am sure your parent club is very proud of you, well done.

:05:11. > :05:17.And here is the man of the match, Scott.

:05:18. > :05:21.Italy were quite a tough nut to crack in the first half. We knew

:05:22. > :05:24.they were going to be physical as the first half was really tough.

:05:25. > :05:29.We knew it was good to be hard, the second half we knew we would do

:05:30. > :05:32.well. Add more of the same next week needed against Ireland?

:05:33. > :05:38.I hope so. Well done, great performance.

:05:39. > :05:46.Have you ever wondered how Warren Gatland relaxes away from rugby?

:05:47. > :05:49.Find out next on Sport Wales. And Italy's talisman reveals all ahead

:05:50. > :05:52.of the big match. Tomorrow, Colin jumps into the Time

:05:53. > :05:59.Machine for Scrum V classics, where we find post grand slam Wales in a

:06:00. > :06:04.spot of bother. Then it is the main event - Wales

:06:05. > :06:12.begin their defence on their Six Nations crown against Italy in

:06:13. > :06:17.Cardiff on BBC Wales and S4C. He has had a shocker, hasn't he?

:06:18. > :06:22.And on Sunday we will have all of the post-match reaction and opinion.

:06:23. > :06:27.Next week it is Ryan Jones's turn to reminisce as we reflect on a Triple

:06:28. > :06:33.Crown winning performance. And then next Friday week travelled

:06:34. > :06:36.to Athlone, where Wales Under 20s continue their Six Nations campaign

:06:37. > :06:37.against the men in green. Steffan Hughes and the gap is

:06:38. > :06:47.there! So much to look forward to in the

:06:48. > :06:52.next week on BBC television, and back to tonight's game, Steffan

:06:53. > :06:58.Hughes very satisfied. Perhaps the scoreline did not reflect Wales's

:06:59. > :07:04.superiority but that is job done, isn't it to my two yes, they tried

:07:05. > :07:07.to play rugby, very impressed with the back row, very dynamic and they

:07:08. > :07:11.thoroughly deserved the win. I was impressed with the defence, as

:07:12. > :07:16.well, their speed and energy, really solid and stopping Italy from

:07:17. > :07:19.fleeing. They know there are tougher challenges ahead but you could not

:07:20. > :07:23.ask for more from them. Sean Holley, it was an impressive back

:07:24. > :07:25.row performance come efficient in the breakdown and some great

:07:26. > :07:29.footballers in Scott Matthews and James Benjamin.

:07:30. > :07:33.Yes, in this team, the back row was good, the front row was good, the

:07:34. > :07:37.midfield was good, but you just sense in the boiler house they need

:07:38. > :07:41.physicality upfront, two big second rows to back up the rest of the

:07:42. > :07:45.team. Let's hope they get some injuries

:07:46. > :07:48.back in the following weeks. Let's turn our attention to the main event

:07:49. > :07:53.tomorrow. Nobody seems to be giving Italy a

:07:54. > :07:58.chance at all. Is there any danger of overconfidence going into this

:07:59. > :08:03.one? I don't think so. If it was in Rome you would be

:08:04. > :08:07.concerned, but in Cardiff with a full house, the boys were much be

:08:08. > :08:11.complacent. They could be the first team ever to

:08:12. > :08:14.win a third title in a row and that will drive them forward. I think

:08:15. > :08:17.Warren Gatland has been very clever, as he always is, he has given a few

:08:18. > :08:24.senior players some remainders this week. I don't think there will be

:08:25. > :08:26.any complacency at all. Score prediction? I think we will

:08:27. > :08:30.win by 20 points. It will be tough, similar to

:08:31. > :08:37.tonight, but I think eventually we will have too much firepower and

:08:38. > :08:39.cutting edge behind. Very bold. Thanks for your company tonight,

:08:40. > :08:45.Martyn Williams, that is about all we have time here from North Wales.

:08:46. > :08:49.Tomorrow all attention will be focused on South Wales, Cardiff

:08:50. > :08:54.playing host to the main event, Wales versus Italy. Warren Gatland

:08:55. > :08:58.is going in search of history, after their third consecutive Six Nations

:08:59. > :09:03.title. It all begins against Italy, the coverage is on BBC One from two

:09:04. > :09:08.BM, sport Wales is next from us. Good night. -- coverage from two