Shane Williams: It was great to see George North equal my try-scoring record
Wales needed that performance because the tournament could easily have finished with a whimper after the chance to win the Six Nations went against England. But instead we’ve finished with a bang, a record win, and renewed hope for the summer.
We were far more clinical than we have been in a while and showed what we can do when we get the strike runners on the ball with space to go forward.
You do have to feel sorry for Italy, it’s been a long and disappointing Six Nations for them and they looked like a side who could not wait for the tournament to be over. They have had a lot of injuries and they don’t have the depth to cope when they lose a lot of players.
It’s hard to fault their commitment in defence but they were ragged and disorganised and Wales were able to take advantage with some excellent tries.
Wales kept the ball well, although I thought they tried to play a bit too much rugby at times, but you have to cut them slack because they scored nine tries.
The Welsh public pack out the Principality Stadium because they want to see the team play exciting rugby with plenty of tempo and width and they didn’t disappoint.
George North was named man of the match and I am happy to see him equal my record of scoring in four Six Nations games in a row. His try had everything we have come to expect from George; pace, power and a great step off his left foot to go around Luke McLean to score.
He has got better with every game of this year’s tournament and now we are seeing George back to his best after the injury problems of last season. He was dangerous every time he got his hands on the ball and I think he will continue to get better because he is still only 24.
Rhys Webb looked like he’d never been away with another brilliant performance at nine and Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies proved what an important pairing they are in the middle for Wales.
Nearly everyone in the backline got on the scoresheet and, yes, Italy were poor but we want to see players running into space and opening the game up.
Ross Moriarty got two tries and that’s what the Six Nations is all about, blooding new talent and players making the most of the opportunities they get.
I feel for Justin Tipuric because he has been chomping at the bit for so long to get his chance in the side and then he gets forced off after just 15 minutes. But players have to take their chances when they come, and Ross did just that. He looked full of energy, carried well, and will add something different to a Wales back-row that is already very strong.
One to 15 I thought everyone played well although collectively there are still things to work on. Conceding two tries against that Italy side is disappointing and I am sure Shaun Edwards and the rest of the Wales management will have something to say about it. Those are the sorts of mistakes Wales need to cut out going forward and sometimes it just comes down to a lack of concentration or switching off.
England are deserving winners of the Six Nations because they have been the best side over the whole tournament – but Wales might feel that it’s one that got away. We should have won the opening game against Ireland and then a very poor 60 minutes against England at Twickenham cost the tournament.
Second place is probably a true reflection of where Wales are at the moment, there have been some very good moments but consistency hasn’t been there.
But Wales can be reasonably happy with where they are, going into the summer but it’s hard to read too much from these performances ahead of the tour to New Zealand – the hardest place you can go to play rugby.
It will be a big learning curve for some of the players and the Wales management will know it’s a tough ask to come away with anything. But if they can impress in the summer then it will put them in a good position to be selected for the Lions and I am sure a lot of players will already be thinking about that.
Hopefully they will take confidence from this performance into the summer.
