The worst nightmare of every Wales fan won't come true after Warren Gatland's side avoided the embarrassment of a first Six Nations Wooden Spoon since 2003.
Many expected Wales to become the Azzurri's first Six Nations victims in Rome since beating Ireland back in 2013, but it wasn't to be. Wales deserve credit, of course they do, especially after what they've had to put up with off the field, with the grave financial position of Welsh rugby being felt in all areas of the game in this country.
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The visitors got it tactically spot on, they were better up-front than they had been in the opening three rounds, and beating Italy in Rome is not to be sniffed at anymore.
But don't be fooled, Wales are still way behind the eight ball when it comes to the World Cup, and are going to need an enormous improvement again to be competitive in Paris next Saturday.
Given France just crushed England 53-10 at Twickenham, the same Red Rose outfit who beat Gatland's side with something to spare in Cardiff a fortnight ago, it gives you an indication of where Wales stand in world rugby's pecking order.
There are some green shoots of recovery with the likes of Mason Grady, Joe Hawkins, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, and Rio Dyer showing signs of genuine promise at Test level, but make no bones about it this is the toughest job of Gatland's career to date.
Most Wales fans will be watching the match against France sat behind the sofa, but they should view it as nothing more than a building block for the World Cup.
With a mere four games before Wales kick-off their World Cup campaign against what is sure to be a dangerous Fiji side in Bordeaux on September 10, there are many areas which need to be fixed.
The biggest issue which needs addressing is the lack of creativity behind the scrum. As bizarre as it sounds, given they lost 29-17, Italy looked far more potent with ball in hand, and if they hadn't butchered several gilt-edged opportunities the likelihood is they would have beaten Wales.
Gatland's men were in the ascendancy up-front for the majority of the game but they created little to nothing, instead relying on Italian errors, which to their credit they forced through their kicking game.
Gatland and his attack coach Alex King need to take a long hard look at the midfield. Both Hawkins and Grady are 20-year-olds with a mere seven caps between them. They undoubtedly have the potential to become top end international players, and have shown glimpses of how good they will eventually become, but it is unfair to be flawless at this stage of their careers.
However, the Wales attack is not functioning as well as it should be given the quality of player on the field.
Owen Williams was tactically very astute against the Azzurri with his kicking game pivotal to the end result, but given Wales' dominance you would have expected the Ospreys man to get more out of his outside backs.
Wales aren't in the same league from an attacking perspective as the likes of Ireland, France, and Scotland who are masters at manipulating even the most well-organised defences.
The question is what can Wales do differently in selection?
Nick Tompkins probably deserves an opportunity at some stage, while looking ahead to the World Cup it would be a shock if Johnny Williams doesn't enter the equation. And Scarlets playmaker Sam Costelow is someone who can get a back-line moving.
Wales will need significant improvement in defence as well. Their linespeed was very good during the first-half but their midfield was as loose as a sieve at certain stages after the interval.
You'd back Mike Forshaw to fix these issues given his outstanding track record at Sale Sharks, but the attack is of greater concern.
With a new coaching team in place and the off field distractions they probably deserve to be cut some slack, but come the World Cup there will be no excuses given they have two months of uninterrupted preparation with the players.
The onus is on former Clermont, Northampton, Montpellier, and Gloucester coach King to come up with an attacking game plan to unlock defences.
At the moment Wales are far too limited, with rugby having moved on since Gatland was last in charge.
A backline which includes the likes of Rhys Webb, Hawkins, Grady, Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Liam Williams should scare most sides but as the moment it isn't adding up.
It's up to Gatland to release the shackles and King to ensure the attack has a cutting edge by the time Wales rock up in Bordeaux in six months time.
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