The Azzurri, who had shipped 100 points in their three previous encounters in this campaign, played a limited but effective game which stifled Wales’s gameplan which saw coach Warren Gatland make nine changes from the side which lost to France.
Wales expected the opening exchanges to be fiercely contested and that’s exactly what they got.
In a side boasting numerous changes, the Welsh pack were penalised in the sixth minute to give Andreo Marcato an early sighter at the posts and he responded by sending the ball through the uprights in the sixth minute to give Italy a 3-0 lead.
The Italians threw away the chance of another three points when Marcato went for the line instead of the posts but a knock-on at the resulting line-out prevented Italy from adding to their tally.
The early onslaught continued and Wales cleared the danger but gave Marcato a chance at a long distance drop goal but his attempt sailed wide.
Italy’s kicking game was causing Wales problems and it took 19 minutes before Wales attacked with intent. James Hook cut through but knocked the ball on with Gavin Henson steaming up in support. However the Italians were off-side to give Hook a second chance but he fluffed his shot at goal.
The match was 27 minutes old before Wales got some go forward. With a penalty on offer, the Welsh went for the try. Henson came from the blindside to put Williams into space and the little wing danced his way over for his 46th try. With Hook adding the conversion Wales had hit the front with a 3-7 lead.
Marcato cut the deficit to a point in the 32nd minute after the Italian pack splintered the Wales scrum and four minutes later the full-back put the home side back in front after Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones was penalised for taking out scrum-half Paul Griffin without the ball at a ruck.
Italy finished the first half on top and battered the Wales try-line but saw Marcato’s drop goal go wide as Wales went into the break 9-7 down.
Italy were more than happy to continue keeping things tight in the opening stages of the second half as Wales struggled to get out of their own half.
Marcato stroked over another penalty in the 58th minute after Williams was penalised for not releasing the ball in a tackle, to give the Italians a five point lead.
Wales coach Warren Gatland went to the bench and brought on Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees to try and spark something for Wales.
Hook reduced the arrears with a well struck penalty in the 60th minute before putting Wales back in front by a single point with a wide-angled penalty in the 65th minute.
With 10 minutes to go Italy went back into the lead after replacement Tom Shanklin was penalised at a ruck. Marcaoto casually sent over his fifth penalty of the afternoon to give Italy a 15-13 lead.
Shanklin atoned for his earlier error when he raced over for his 19th international try after Hook sent him clear. The Wales stand-off added the conversion from the touchline to give the visitors a 15-20 lead.
Italy refused to go away but with their limited game plan revolving around their forward pack, Wales were able to close out the game.
