Italy: Kieran Crowley says Azzurri must build on Six Nations victory over Wales

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley explained how they ignored the talk of their Six Nations future after breaking their 36-game losing streak in the Championship against Wales.

With Italy being winless in the Six Nations since a victory over Scotland in 2015 at Murrayfield, their place was rumoured to be in jeopardy, with talk of both Georgia and South Africa being possible replacements.

But those rumours may be finished now as Italy delivered a fantastic performance culminating in a last minute try from Edoardo Padovani to give them their first win in the tournament in seven years.

White noise

On the debate over Italy’s Six Nations status, head coach Crowley said: “We don’t listen to that noise. That’s for people in better-paid positions to decide.

“We just concentrate on us playing. Probably a lot of it (criticism) might be justified with 36 games in a row, but you guys can’t say that now.

“That’s the pleasing thing for us. We haven’t worried about anything else.”

Italy led 12-7 at the break as the boots of Paolo Garbisi and Padovani rewarded a front-foot performance.

But Wales scored three tries, with Josh Adams’ effort 12 minutes from time handing them a 25-21 lead, and the reigning Six Nations champions looked as if they would scrape home.

But then Toulouse-bound full-back Ange Capuozzo left Welsh defenders trailing in his wake with a touchline burst, and he fed Padovani for a score which Garbisi converted to spark wild Italian celebrations.

Crowley said: “I’m just so proud of the boys. We were under a little bit of duress during the week.

“We had a bit of sickness, a flu bug, and we were struggling towards the end. They were out on their feet in the last 30 minutes but we just dug in.

“The positive thing about it is they kept playing and kept believing.

“The defence was outstanding. We must get better at our discipline and the players have really bought into that and made an improvement in that area.

“If we want to become a top team we must do this sort of thing.

“A result like this gives us the confidence what we are doing is working. Players have got confidence and belief and what we do.

“We’ve got to build on this now because one win does not make a team.”

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