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Wales under-18 defeated in final Six Nations Festival clash

Pathway | 23rd April 2019


Wales under-18 suffered a defeat at the hands of Italy in the final round of Six Nations Festival action.

Three Cardiff Blues youngsters featured in Chris Horsman's starting line-up, as they looked to build on the victory over Scotland.

It was a strong start for Wales at Gloucester's Kingsholm, as a dangerous carry from former Cardiff Blues age grade wing, Louis Rees-Zammit, put them on the front foot.

Zammit, who became the Cherry and Whites' youngest player to feature in the Gallagher Premiership, kicked infield to find Cardiff Blues centre, Ioan Evans, who had a clear path to the whitewash.

The Wales try-scorer also combined with full-back Dan Jones to make a crucial intervention and deny lock Riccardo Favretto a score in the corner.

However, after 27 minutes of action, the Italians pulled level as Manfredi Albanese sniped over from close range.

The sides went into the interval on level terms after Leonardo Marin and Ioan Lloyd exchanged penalties, but the Italians powered through in the second half, as Lorenzo Cannone, Tommaso Menoncello and a Stephen Varney brace ensured a 34-13 win and second place for the Azzurri.