Italy player ratings: Usual stars the ‘best of a bad bunch’ as Azzurri end Six Nations on ‘sour note’
Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello in action for Italy against Wales in the Six Nations.
Following a disappointing 31-17 defeat to Wales in the Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, here are the player ratings for Italy.
15 Lorenzo Pani: Is a useful kicking option but it was generally a panicked display from the full-back, who was generally spending his day chasing back after yet another turnover. 4
14 Louis Lynagh: Competed well in the air for the most part and tried his best to influence the game, but mistakes from his team-mates reduced his influence. 6
Best of a bad bunch
13 Juan Ignacio Brex: Arguably Italy’s best player but even he had the odd mistake. There was a superb tackle on Eddie James behind the gain line and some lovely touches, but he was let down by the forwards and half-backs. 7
12 Tommaso Menoncello: Apart from one run in the first half, Menoncello was quiet until he burst into life late on in the match, showing his class. 7
11 Monty Ioane: Like Lynagh, you can’t really fault him for too much as his basics were good, but Ioane failed to really challenge the Welsh defence with ball in hand. 6
10 Paolo Garbisi: Not great, unfortunately. Missed an early penalty which set the tone as Garbisi stood a bit too deep with ball in hand and made a series of poor decisions. 4
9 Alessandro Fusco: His kicking wasn’t too bad but it was a bit too ponderous at the base of the ruck. Italy were dreadful with ball in hand in the first period and Fusco has to take some responsibility for that. 4
8 Lorenzo Cannone: Very few of his customary big carries as the number eight were well shackled by the Welsh. Went off after about an hour after a struggling to make an impact. 5
Dominated at the breakdown
7 Manuel Zuliani: Not the threat he usually is at the breakdown as Wales’ clearing work was superb. It was a tough day at the office for the back-row. 5
6 Michele Lamaro (c): Certainly not a captain’s performance from Lamaro as he failed to inspire his team-mates on what was a disappointing day for the Azzurri. 5
5 Federico Ruzza: They challenged well on Wales’ lineout early on but, like his fellow forwards, Ruzza soon started to go into reverse in the physical battle. 5
4 Niccolò Cannone: Probably Italy’s best forward. Was relentless in the carry, won a couple of turnovers and won some individual duels. 6
3 Muhamed Hasa: A dreadful day for the tighthead, who came in for the injured Simone Farrari. Hasa was absolutely dominated by Rhys Carre in the scrum and offered very little elsewhere. 4
2 Giacomo Nicotera: Overpowered by the Welsh, while the hooker also had the odd issue at the lineout. Nicotera’s an excellent player, but this was a poor day at the office. 5
1 Danilo Fischetti: Set-piece had its issues, albeit the problems were really on the other side. Fischetti was one of their better players as he carried well and competed hard at the breakdown. 6
Replacements: They had better joy in the scrum in the second period while Stephen Varney lifted the tempo. There was also a good impact from David Odiase, but by that point the game was done and dusted after a dreadful first half as their Six Nations campaign ended on a sour note. 7