Italy Under 18 outscored Wales U18 three tries to two this afternoon in front of a packed crowd to record a 19-10 victory at a sun drenched Ystrad Mynach.
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges with left wing Diego Ferrazzi prominent while the big pack thundered into Welsh defenders.
It was no surprise when prop Dario Argenton surged over from close range to put Italy ahead but Wales hit back five minutes later through full back Sam Morgan who went in at the corner.
Wales thought they had gone ahead just ahead of the halftime whistle, but the referee ruled the ball was held up.
Wales were denied again early in the second half when loosehead prop Bryan Kamanga was unable to convince the referee he had planted the ball under a pile of bodies.
Wales, with captain Alfie Prygodzicz leading the way, took the game to the Italians but the visitors stuck twice within the space of six minutes to seize control of the game.
Second rows Matteo Rosi and Edoardo Berchiollo cantered over for Mattia Andretti and Lorenzo Barboglio Crainz to share conversions to leave Wales trailing 19-5.
Wales finished with a flourish when Ioan Dacey exploded over the tryline to double Wales’ score but the home side ran out of time to strike again.
Wales U18 head coach Richie Pugh said it was a good international considering it was a first hit out of the season for his side.
“In terms of the game we probably didn’t manage momentum for the first 20 minutes,” he said, “they really took control of it but we managed to swing back into it going into the half at 5-5.
“We were unlucky to have a try held up before halftime, likewise came out in the second half – we thought we had scored to take the lead but it just didn’t happen for us and fair play to the Italians, they had a couple of transition opportunities and punished us.”