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Edoardo Gori of Italy (L) in action during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)
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Second-half tries from Jonathan Davies and Alex Cuthbert helped Wales to a 26-9 victory over Italy in the Six Nations in Rome.
Planet Rugby Match Report:
A severe downpour before kick-off hindered the handling ability of both sides through the first half, with Leigh Halfpenny adding three penalties for the visitors and Kristopher Burton responding with two for the hosts.
Giovanmattista Venditti (C) of Italy is tackled by Leigh Halfpenny (L) of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)
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Simone Favaro of Italy (C) is tackled by Leigh Halfpenny of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)
Wales though stepped up the intensity in the second half and were worthy winners as Italy struggled to find a breakthrough past the advancing Welsh defence, Burton twice settling for drop goal attempts that both sailed wide.
The result will further lift Welsh spirits with their second victory on the road in this year's championship, leaving them in contention for the title should other results go their way over the coming weeks.
Man of the Match: 16 tackles summed up the hard-work and commitment of Wales captainRyan Jones, whose rich vein of form continues.
Moment of the Match: A comical mix-up between the Italian half-backs allowed Jonathan Davies to simply pounce on the loose ball for the game's opening try.
Villain of the Match: The woes of the Italian scrum were summed up by Castrogiovanni'ssin-binning on a poor afternoon for Italy's stand-in captain.
George North (C) of Wales is tackled by Italy players during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)
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George North (R) of Wales competes for the ball with Edoardo Gori of Italy during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)
RBS 6 Nations match report:
Having ended a run of eight straight defeats against France last time out, Wales chalked up their second win of the competition with Leigh Halfpenny again excelling at full-back, notching 14 points.
Where the Welsh scrum came under pressure in Paris, it was rampant in Rome and that gave Wales the platform to set up the victory - Halfpenny taking advantage whenever the Azzurri were penalised at the set-piece.
Despite Wales' superiority in the first half, Italy were very much still in the game at 9-6 down at the break but Davies and Cuthbert both scored clinical efforts to wrap up victory as the Welsh road show now gears up for a trip to Scotland.
Manoa Vosawai of Italy is tackled by Jamie Roberts of Wales #12 during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)
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Jonathan Davies (C) of Wales in action with Andrea Masi (L) of Italy during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)
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Francesco Minto of Italy (C) is tackled by Mike Phillips of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)
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next test:
Scotland v Wales
Murrayfield Stadium - Edinburgh
9TH MARCH
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England v Italy
Twickenham - London
10th March
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