Wales went a long way to avoiding the ignominy of a first Six Nations Wooden Spoon for 20 years with a comfortable 29-17 victory over Italy in Rome.
For the first time ever Wales were underdogs against the Azzurri owing to their poor form of late, but tries from Rio Dyer, Liam Williams, and Taulupe Faletau, along with a penalty try were enough to get Warren Gatland's side over the line.
It wasn't perfect, and there remain issues to fix in both attack and defence, but this was a much-needed boost for Wales and a small step in the right direction.
Ruck speed and gain-line
During Wales' first three defeats of the Championship the two areas which have cost them the most is the breakdown and their discipline.
They certainly fixed the first problem area in Rome.
Wales' speed of ruck ball was significantly faster than it had been against Ireland, Scotland, and England, respectively.
The clearouts from Wales' forwards were far more accurate, while more often than not they kept their discipline with fewer penalties conceded in this area.
This allowed Wales' carriers to get over the gain line, with the visitors making real headway by taking the ball straight up the guts of the Azzurri defence.
With their ball presentation and ruck speed a lot quicker this meant the Italy defence didn't have as much time to reset, making it easier for Wales to get over the gain-line.
The selection of Jac Morgan at blindside made a world of difference at the breakdown, with the Ospreys star slowing down Italy's attacking ball while he provides such a physical presence in the contact area.
They were also significantly more aggressive with their carries and won the majority of collisions.
Kicking game and tactics
Wales were criticised for putting boot to ball a little too much against England but they got it tactically spot on against the Azzurri.
The selection of veteran scrum-half Rhys Webb was justified, with the Ospreys man tormenting Italy with his chip kicks over the top, while both Owen Williams, and Liam Williams also kicked intelligently.
One wicked kick over the top from Webb resulted in a try for Rio Dyer, while a tremendous 50/22 in the first-half put the visitors into a prime attacking position.
Italy have been praised throughout the course of the Six Nations for their adventurous and innovative brand of rugby, with the Azzurri back-line scoring some of the best tries in the Championship this season.
But this proved to be their undoing against Wales as Warren Gatland's side turned it into a weakness.
Wales knew Italy wouldn't be able to resist the urge to attack from deep and they were proved right as the visitors fed off the home side's mistakes.
Attack still not firing on all cylinders
Wales may have put four tries past Italy, which is no mean feat these days, but their attack still isn't where it needs to be.
Yes, this is only Alex King's fourth test match as attack coach, but Wales lose their shape far too quickly after a few phases.
Wales were on top in the physical stakes in Rome which made it easier for them to exploit space out wide but after a few phases Gatland's men tend to lose their streucture.
They may have been second best, but the home side looked far more dangerous with ball in hand than Wales.
Kieran Crowley's side cut Wales to shreds at times, butchering a number of gilt-edged try scoring opportunities but the point is Gatland's side haven't shown they are capable of doing the same.
There still isn't enough creativity and innovation behind the scrum, which is something they will need to develop if they are to be competitive at the Rugby World Cup because they haven't got the strength up-front to dominate the better sides physically.
At the Stade de France next weekend they aren't going to trouble a defence coached by Shaun Edwards by employing one up runners, and a decent kicking game.
The young centre partnership of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady is one which could develop into a top class pairing but they remain a work in progress.
Given this test match was, to all intents and purposes won after a mere 50 minutes, you would have expected Wales to pile on the points but they weren't good enough to do so.
Rhys Webb
Much has been made of the age profile of this squad, with Gatland's predecessor Wayne Pivac unfairly criticised for not pushing the next generation of Wales internationals.
While it's fair to say an injection of new blood was desperately needed, there remains room in this squad for one or two elder statesmen.
Put simply, Rhys Webb was outstanding in Rome with his game management, kicking game, tactical acumen, and sniping around the fringes playing havoc with the Italy defence.
His kicking game was on the money and played a big part in Wales' first victory in this season's Six Nations.
What makes it even better is this was Webb's first Six Nations start since 2017 having fallen in and out of favour with various coaches.
The 34-year-old would have been aware this could have been his final chance to stake a claim for a World Cup place, and he left viewers in no doubt he remains a top end international class player.
But it was a 50 metre break which set up Faletau's try which really caught the eye, and it would be a big surprise if the Bridgend man hasn't cemented himself as Gatland's first choice number nine looking towards the World Cup in France.
READ MORE:
