Wales player ratings: Rhys Webb outstandingly rolls back the years in victory over Italy in Rome

Dylan Coetzee
Wales stars Rhys Webb and Taulupe Faletau embrace after a try against Italy

Wales put together a much-improved performance as they dodged the wooden spoon with a 29-17 win over Italy in Rome. Here is how we rated the players.

15 Liam Williams: The full-back put in a classy shift typified by a sensational try following a run down the right-hand side drenched in determination. He won an impressive breakdown turnover on his line in the first period. One of Wales’ shining lights, and it was a pity to see him leave the pitch injured. 8

14 Josh Adams: Very quiet in his 52 minutes on the pitch. Failed to make any impact on the game. Nothing close to a memorable afternoon for the winger. 5

13 Mason Grady: A player who very rarely came into the game, nothing much to speak of. Must improve his tackle completion. 5

12 Joe Hawkins: An unsung hero who was the Welsh battering ram in the midfield. Made an impressive amount of carries and was clever in his decision-making for the most part. A real answer in the Welsh backline. 7

11 Rio Dyer: The speedster was rewarded for his enthusiasm in the kick chase when he ran onto a wicked bouncing kick to score. Missed too many tackles otherwise – a part of his game he will need to address going forward. 6

10 Owen Williams: Despite average kicking from the tee, the fly-half had a solid outing with a particularly good try-saving tackle in the first half, although there were suspicions of offside. Controlled the attack brilliantly, especially in the second period. An all-around pleasing effort from the playmaker. 8

9 Rhys Webb: Rolled back the years with a fine performance. Started quickly with a clever kick in space early on resulting in Dyer’s try. Capitalised on a hole around the fringes of the ruck and put Faletau in for his score. Stood up for his country when it was required most. Wales’ best player. 9

Struggles at scrum-time

8 Taulupe Faletau: A workmanlike performance from the number eight loaded with tackles and carries. He was key in shovelling the ball out wide in Liam Williams’ try and scored one of his courtesy of a good support line. 8

7 Justin Tipuric: A committed effort from one of the team’s leaders, a go-to man in the lineout with five takes off their own throw whilst making a boatload of tackles. A solid showing from the flanker. 7

6 Jac Morgan: Another Welshman who spent his afternoon making tackle after tackle. The Ospreys star carried reasonably well and will be happy with his overall performance. A player looking more and more comfortable at Test level. 6

5 Dafydd Jenkins: Operated efficiently in the lineout and tackled like a warrior throughout. Very few opportunities with ball in hand but a committed effort from the developing star. 6

4 Adam Beard: The second-row was outstanding in lineout defence, making a crucial steal near his line early on and another at a sensitive moment in the second period. Made few tackles and carries otherwise. 6

3 Tomas Francis: Nothing to write home about in an average performance. Made all his tackles but struggled at scrum time against Italy’s power. 5

2 Ken Owens (c): The skipper worked extremely hard, making 12 tackles in his 75-odd minutes. The hooker threw well at the lineout, mostly a facet of the game Wales used well to launch off. 7

1 Wyn Jones: Not a performance to remember with as many missed tackles as made, nothing special in the carry and struggles in the scrum. 4

Replacements: Props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis changed the scrummaging situation as soon as they came on. Louis Rees-Zammit looked dangerous and demanded a chance in the starting line-up with his energy. 6

READ MORE: Six Nations: Wales claim bonus-point win over wasteful Italy to move off bottom spot