Shanklin breaks clear.

By Ian Gordon, PA Sport, Rome

Shambolic Wales suffered another blow to their reputation as Italy ended a 14-match losing streak to pull off a shock RBS 6 Nations victory at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Saturday.

Outside-half Diego Dominguez scored 15 points and the Azzurri grabbed three tries to register their first win in the tournament since the famous debut triumph over Scotland three years ago.

Wales slumped to their first defeat against Italy in 10 matches and left the field with their heads bowed low after a passionless performance as the Italian's celebrated in inimitable style.

The defeat leaves coach Steve Hansen facing a massive task in rebuilding morale and confidence before England arrive in Cardiff next Saturday.

Wales will certainly have to produce a vastly improved defensive display if they are to avoid a Millennium Stadium massacre by Clive Woodward's men.

The jury, unfortunately, is also still out on Iestyn Harris after he was handed another opportunity to show he can be Wales' outside-half saviour following injuries to Stephen Jones and Neil Jenkins.

Harris produced a couple of side-steps that were his trademark with Leeds Rhinos without ever escaping his markers and, though there is nothing wrong with his goal-kicking, he was surprisingly guilty of a couple of missed tackles that could have proved more costly.

Wales' defence was pierced after just three minutes as the Azzurri made their expected frenzied start in the sunshine in what was probably their best opportunity of registering a rare 6 Nations victory this season.

Prop Giampiero De Carli, who scored in their victory against Scotland in 2000, was again the hero as he turned and rolled his way over to end a spell of early Italian pressure.

Wales quickly responded with Northampton's Steve Williams justifying his recall after he missed the autumn internationals with a virus, claiming his second try in 25 games in the seventh minute.

Moments later Italy were punished for two inept challenges deep in Welsh territory as Saracens centre Tom Shanklin, easily his side's most effective player, raced clear from 60 metres out clear to grab his third try for his country.

But with Wales claiming that Italian skipper Alessandro Troncon was blocking their defenders, hooker Carlo Festuccia drove over from a few metres out to again level the scores.

Harris and Dominguez traded penalties before Italy's Argentina-born prolific points scorer scooped over a drop goal to give his side a three-point lead at half-time.

The first half had been end-to-end stuff but as the vastly-experienced duo of Troncon and Dominguez began to exert a stranglehold on the game in the second half it became much more bitty, which was not to Wales' liking.

The Italian defence was there to be exploited if Wales could work the ball wide but they failed to do so, too often being sucked into midfield.

And as the half wore on Italy were more in command and it was no surprise when they grabbed a third try after Troncon had pinched the ball from a Welsh scrum.

Fittingly, two of the back row who had performed heroics throughout then became involved as flanker Andrea De Rossi freed New Zealand-born number eight Matthew Phillips, who powered over for his first try for Wales.

Dominguez converted and when the 73-cap veteran added a second drop goal, taking his career points tally to 980, the fans in the disappointing crowd - the sun-kissed stadium was nowhere near its 24,000 capacity - began the celebrations.

Scrum-half Dwayne Peel did grab a try right on full-time with Italy reduced to 14 men after lock Cristian Bezzi had been sin-binned for a swinging arm on wing Mark Jones that saw the Welsh player stretchered off.

But there was no miraculous comeback for Wales, now without a win in a Six Nations opener for six years.

Teams:

Italy: Vaccari, M. Bergamasco, Stoica, Raineri, Dallan, Dominguez, Troncon, De Carli, Festuccia, Martinez, Bezzi, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Phillips.

Replacements: M. Bergamasco for Raineri (28), Perugini for Martinez (59).

Not Used: Moretti, Giacheri, Palmer, Queirolo, Pez.

Tries: De Carli, Festuccia, Phillips.

Cons: Dominguez 3.

Pens: Dominguez.

Drop Goals: Dominguez 2.

Wales: R. Williams, M. Jones, Shanklin, L. Davies, G. Thomas, Harris, Peel, I. Thomas, M. Davies, Evans, Sidoli, S. Williams, Owen, M. Williams, Charvis.

Replacements: Sweeney for M. Jones (73), Watkins for L. Davies (57), G. Williams for M. Davies (50), D. Jones for S. Williams (50), G. Thomas for Charvis (69).

Not Used: Jenkins, G. Cooper. Wales: Tries: S. Williams, Shanklin, Peel. Cons: Harris 2. Pens: Harris.

Att: 20,000

Ref: Joel Jutge (France).