Wales 23 Italy 19
Wales are playing an anxious waiting game before knowing the full extent of injuries suffered by Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny during their final World Cup warm-up game against Millennium Stadium visitors Italy.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland confirmed that scrumhalf Webb is undergoing a scan on an ankle injury, while Halfpenny will have a knee scan on Sunday or Monday.
Both players were carried off – Webb after 26 minutes and Halfpenny 11 minutes from time – as Wales laboured to a four-point success.
“Rhys is being scanned at the moment,” Gatland said “Leigh will be scanned tomorrow or Monday. I haven’t spoken to either player.
“It is not great, is it? If they are ruled out, it is a massive blow.
“It is one of those things. Players are wanting to play, and unfortunately, they sometimes pick up injuries.”
Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in 15 days’ time. Their pool also includes host nation England and twice-world champions Australia.
If Webb is ruled out of the tournament then it could mean 94 times-capped Mike Phillips being recalled after he was cut from the training group by head coach Warren Gatland last month.
But Gatland can now only play an anxious waiting game with Webb and Halfpenny, hoping his well-laid World Cup plans for a group that also includes England and Australia do not begin to unravel.
Wales prevailed through five Halfpenny penalties – he passed 500 points for Wales in the process – a late Dan Biggar penalty and an early George North try, while Italy claimed a third-minute Leonardo Sarto touchdown before Tommaso Allan booted two penalties, Carlo Canna dropped a goal and Guglielmo Palazzani scored a try with the game's final play.
Gatland made five changes from the side that defeated reigning Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin last weekend, which included a return to action for skipper Sam Warburton after he rested a shoulder knock seven days ago.
Italy arrived at the Millennium Stadium on the back of a 48-7 drubbing by Scotland last time out, and memories were fresh of them shipping 61 points against Wales during the final day of last season’s Six Nations in March.
Wales, wearing a change kit that was officially billed as “anthracite” in colour, were left red-faced by a breakaway Italy score after just three minutes.
Wing Alex Cuthbert's pass was intercepted by Italy captain Sergio Parisse, who sprinted 60 metres before being hauled down by Scott Williams's tackle, but the Azzurri had sufficient numbers in support and Sarto touched down from close range.
Allan extended Italy's lead through a ninth-minute penalty and with Wales also obtaining little change out of Irish referee George Clancy, it amounted to a sloppy start until the home side stirred via a 12th-minute Scott Williams break, before slick handling allowed an unmarked North to claim his 23rd Test touchdown.
Parisse was again in the thick of the action just minutes later when he appeared to lead with his elbow in an aerial challenge with Cuthbert. He avoided any sanction, though, as Cuthbert left the field nursing a gashed forehead and Bristol back Matthew Morgan replaced him.
Webb’s injury then meant a muted end to the half, with Halfpenny and Allan exchanging penalties as Italy secured an unexpected 11-8 interval advantage.
Halfpenny landed his second penalty to make it 11-11 after 49 minutes but Italy enjoyed a territorial advantage, with Parisse prominent, and Wales lacked any kind of spark despite several of their leading players being involved in a game that Gatland would have wanted far more verve and creativity from.
It was unconvincing by the home team and although they clearly hoped their probable superior fitness might tell during the final quarter, there was no apparent sign of Italy succumbing, despite Halfpenny’s third penalty edging Wales 14-11 ahead.
Wales then saw out the contest, but the injuries to Webb and Halfpenny left the Millennium Stadium stunned and Gatland possibly without two of his major performers.
