Wales opened their Six Nations account for the season as they secured a bonus-point victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon.
Warren Gatland’s team took their chances as they ran out 29-17 winners against wasteful opponents who played below expectations.
There were Welsh touchdowns from Liam Williams, Rio Dyer, Taulupe Faletau and a penalty try at Stadio Olimpico, with scrum-half Rhys Webb masterminding the success on his first start in the Six Nations in six years.
Mark Orders dishes out the Wales player ratings.
Read more: The reasons why Wales avoided a Six Nations whitewash and why it won't be enough to beat France
Liam Williams 8
Great finish saw him beat a slew of defenders en route to the line and Williams followed it up with a try-saving turnover. While there was the concession of an early penalty and a bump that forced him off, Wales’ full-back was often the spark for much that was good his team. After a difficult few weeks, he proved a few critics wrong.
Josh Adams 5
Looked frustrated after being subbed on 52 minutes, having failed to convert a decent chance and then had a kick charged down. There had earlier been some decent chasing and covering, but he’ll know the importance of making the most of the big moments.
Mason Grady 5
Last-ditch tackle on Lorenzo Cannone was a highlight but there were also a few missed tackles with the Welsh threequarters struggling to match their counterparts at times.
Joe Hawkins 5
Took a series of restarts and made plenty of metres with ball in hand. There were a few defensive glitches, though, and Hawkins was also turned over and wasted an attacking opportunity with dodgy kick execution. A plus was that he never hid.
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Rio Dyer 6
Took his try impressively, chased well and won a 40:60 aerial challenge. On the debit side, he failed to clear out at one breakdown and there was more than one soft defensive contact. A bit helter-skelter overall.
Owen Williams 6
Kept his position in the side, which hadn’t been totally expected, and kept Italy at bay with wonderful defence that stopped Menoncello from scoring. There was the odd loose kick but he stayed on the field for 80 minutes and can build on this.
Rhys Webb 9
You name it, he did it — and some more again. Set up two tries, the first with a superbly executed kick and the second with a dummy and good awareness. There was also a 50:22 and an important tackle in run-up to Liam Williams’ try. A zinger of a game, then.
Wyn Jones 5
Made an early mark with some strong carrying but the Welsh scrum was under pressure and Jones missed the odd Italian ball carrier in defence. Later felt the force of a forearm to the neck from Pierre Bruno.
Ken Owens 7
Didn’t exactly celebrate the penalty try, having appeared to be over the line himself. But the captain set a stirring example, never clearer than when tracking back to bring down Federico Ruzza when the lock looked like scoring. Lineout was largely good, too.
Tomas Francis 5
Wales needed him to test Fishcetti’s scrummaging credentials, but the Welsh set-piece hit trouble more than once. Francis tackled well enough but struggled to get his hands on the ball.
Adam Beard 7
Had started every minute of every Wales game in this Six Nations, without uprooting too many trees, but he began well here by nicking an Italian lineout. There was also some outstanding maul defence from the big man, including a turnover.
Dafydd Jenkins 6
Used a lot in the lineout and grew into the game with a turnover and some solid tackling — although he missed a few hits as well. He didn’t offer much as a carrier, but he’s still settling at this level.
Jac Morgan 7
A solid shift for an hour before being replaced. Without dominating, Morgan played with physicality and nailed Menoncello after the centre had busted the first line of Welsh defence, one of 12 hits the flanker made.
Justin Tipuric 7
Another strong stint in the trenches, with Tipuric quietly effective in all he did. One important tackle on Negri stopped an Italian attack and the man in the blue hat also claimed a high ball and pilfered an Italian lineout. His brainpower is worth a lot to Wales.
Taulupe Faletau 7
There was much to admire from Faletau in attack and defence, with a touchdown and an assist among his highlights. One untypical error at the back of a dodgy Welsh scrum, but otherwise the No. 8 was impressive.
REPLACEMENTS
Scott Baldwin N/A
Injured after six minutes on the pitch.
Gareth Thomas 6
Scrum under pressure and Thomas was penalised for a neck roll but redeemed himself with a huge set-piece effort in closing minutes.
Dillon Lewis 6
Bloodied, but unbowed. Played part in one strong scrum surge, albeit there was the odd issue at other set-pieces.
Rhys Davies 6
A couple of tackles and a carry; powerful.
Tommy Reffell 6
Important snaffle of loose ball.
Tomos Williams 6
Plenty of kicking.
George North 5
No chance to impact game.
Louis Rees-Zammit 6
Turned over once, but at least he backed himself and he put in some important tackles.
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