Italy v Wales winners and losers as star has tough day at the office and buck stops at the top
The word nadir has been used far too frequently in a Welsh rugby context over the past couple of years - so much so that it has lost its punch.
Just when you think Wales have hit rock bottom, it gets worse. Yesterday's 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome was Wales' 14th loss on the bounce.
Warren Gatland narrowly avoided the sack after a disastrous 2024 which didn't yield a single victory - the first time this has happened since before the Second World War. Of course the blame can't solely be put at Gatland's door given the parlous state of everything below the national side.
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But Wales' Roman nightmare could have huge ramifications for Gatland, if not now but at the end of the Six Nations. Here are your winners and losers from yet another traumatic weekend for Welsh rugby.
Winners
Blair Murray
The Scarlets back was one of the only positives to come out of a dark day for Welsh rugby. Murray was a late replacement for the injured Liam Williams and he gave a good account of himself.
The 22-year-old made more linebreaks than any other player on the field and one jinking run in the second half nearly resulted in a try. Italy had clearly targeted Murray under the high ball and while it wasn't perfect - understandable given the conditions - the Scarlets man fared better than expected in this aspect of the game.
Murray is an extremely dangerous broken field runner who can create opportunities out of nothing. Imagine how effective he'd be in a stronger side.
Taulupe Faletau and Jac Morgan
This was the first time in 490 days Faletau had made an appearance for Wales. The Cardiff star is arguably Wales' finest No 8 of the modern era but he is no miracle worker.
Understandably at 34 Faletau isn't quite the player he once was but he was still one of the better performers in what was a dour Test match in Rome. Faletau made more carries than any other player with 13 and came second in tackles made with 14.
Wales captain Morgan also played well, leading from the front, putting in 13 tackles and eight carries. Morgan is one of the only Wales players in contention to tour with the British & Irish Lions to Australia this summer.
Aaron Wainwright
Earlier in the week the Dragons backrower was touch and go for the game due to a severe laceration to his face which forced him off the field in the opening exchanges of the 43-0 hiding to France last weekend. That was likely the main reason why the 27-year-old was on the bench and not starting.
But he made a significant impact immediately upon entering the fray. Wales are short of carriers but Wainwright helped give them some go forward.
Wainwright also scored Wales' first try off the back of a well-worked driving lineout, while he added an extra layer of physicality to Gatland's side. The dynamic backrower must start in the backrow alongside Morgan and Faletau for the clash with Ireland in Cardiff in a couple of weeks.
Losers
Warren Gatland
Nobody can question what Gatland did during his first stint in charge of Wales, but that was then and this is now. There are also factors outside of his control, such as the state of the regional game and the way in which the pathway has been neglected up until recently.
But as Gatland has always said, Test match rugby is about winning. In international rugby you are judged by results and the buck always stops with the head coach. The facts are there in black and white - Gatland has won just six times in 25 Test matches since returning to Wales and they have lost 14 in a row, which is their worst ever run of defeats.
To rub further salt into the wounds Wales have now dropped to 12th in the world rankings below Georgia and look miles off turning this around. There are a multitude of problems in Welsh rugby which are out of Gatland's control but in the same way he received credit for leading Wales to numerous Six Nations titles, constructive criticism is fair when on such a wretched losing streak.
Gatland's assistant coaches will also be questioned but the New Zealander will inevitably cop most of the flak from the media and Welsh public.
Will Rowlands
The Racing 92 lock has been a fantastic servant to Welsh rugby since making his Test debut in 2020 and has consistently been among Wales' best players. But the 33-year-old has been out of sorts over the course of this season.
He was below par during the autumn and put in his poorest performance for Wales against Italy. Of course it is a collective effort, but Rowlands was a long way off his best.
The former Dragons and Wasps lock offered himself as a carrier throughout but was regularly knocked backwards, while he spilt a lot of ball. Wales need Rowlands to get back to his best if they are to stand any chance of turning things around.
Ben Thomas
This was a really tough day at the office for the Cardiff playmaker. Thomas has struggled with his kicking out of hand against France and Italy.
The 26-year-old is a very talented rugby player but is far better suited at inside centre than outside-half. Thomas regularly wears the number 12 jersey at regional level and that is where his skillset is best suited.
The Cardiffian is good enough to play international rugby but the experiment of playing Thomas at 10 has not worked in recent weeks. There is a strong argument that Dan Edwards should wear the number 10 shirt against Ireland, with Thomas either at 12 or coming off the bench.
The starting Wales front-row
Henry Thomas scrummaged exceptionally well in France last weekend but was the polar opposite against Italy in Rome. Thomas conceded a penalty in the very first scrum and Wales got penalised off the park in this area of the game.
The lineout was also a big problem until Elliot Dee entered the fray. Evan Lloyd has a lot of potential but he is not quite ready for this level.
Nicky Smith also made a big impact off the bench and has been in excellent form for Leicester Tigers. Gareth Thomas is a fine player but there is a strong argument Smith deserves a runout against Ireland at the Principality Stadium in a couple of weeks.
