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Edoardo Padovani scored a last-gasp try as Wales’ Six Nations campaign ended with a shock 22-21 defeat against Italy at the Principality Stadium.
Josh Adams had appeared to spare the blushes of the lacklustre hosts when he crossed 11 minutes from time to put Wales ahead.
Kieran Crowley’s Italy looked set for a 37th successive defeat in the competition at that stage, but there was to be one final twist in Cardiff.
Ange Capuozzo burst away from the tiring Welsh defence and offloaded to Padovani, who went in under the posts before Paolo Garbisi converted to complete a remarkable victory.
Following last week’s defeat by France, Wales were aiming to avoid successive Principality Stadium losses in the Six Nations for the first time in 15 years.
Having looked impressive during their narrow reverse against Scotland last week, Italy carried on the momentum with a solid first-half display.
Despite Owen Watkin going over for his second international try, the impressive kicking of Padovani and Garbisi helped the visitors establish a 12-7 half-time lead.
That marked the first time since they faced Ireland in 2019 that the Italians took a lead into the break during a Six Nations clash – and only the second time away from home since 2011.
The visitors threatened to stretch their lead early in the second half, but a wonderful last-ditch intervention from Adams denied Monty Ioane.
And it seemed that normal service had been resumed when Dewi Lake and Adams crossed either side of a Garbisi penalty.
But despite being guaranteed a bottom-place finish for the seventh successive year, Italy produced a dramatic climax, with Capuozzo powering away and offloading for Padovani to go under the posts, followed by Garbisi holding his nerve.
A dream first start for Capuozzo
After marking his Test debut with a pair of tries against Scotland last time out, Capuozzo was handed his first start this time.
The Grenoble full-back, who is set to join Toulouse, continued to impress, with his sublime late surge and offload to Padovani sealing a sensational victory.
Adams impresses
The performance of Adams provided a rare positive on an otherwise frustrating day for Wales.
The winger produced a magnificent tackle to deny Ioane early in the second half. His wonderful dash from the touchline then paved the way for a sixth try in five Tests against Italy.
