Wales beat Italy 31-17 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 14 March 2026 to record their first Six Nations victory since 2023 on the final weekend of the championship. The result did not prevent Wales finishing with the Wooden Spoon for a third successive year, but it provided a long-awaited moment of relief for the Welsh rugby public.
What is Wales vs Italy in the Six Nations?
The fixture forms part of the annual Six Nations Championship, the premier international rugby union tournament in the Northern Hemisphere. Contested each year by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, the tournament runs over five rounds in February and March. Wales and Italy often share the bottom half of the championship table, and their head-to-head fixture frequently carries implications for the Wooden Spoon, awarded to whichever side finishes last.
When did it take place?
Kick-off was at 14:15 GMT on Saturday 14 March 2026, the second of three Super Saturday fixtures that decided the destination of the championship. Ireland vs Scotland kicked off earlier in Dublin, with France vs England closing the tournament in Paris.
Where was it held?
The match was played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales’s 73,931-capacity national rugby venue. With its retractable roof and steep stands, the Principality is widely regarded as one of the finest rugby stadiums in the world. It has been the home of Welsh rugby since 1999.
Results
Wales 31-17 Italy. Wales scored four tries to record their first bonus-point Six Nations victory in three years, with skipper Jac Morgan leading from the front in the back row. The home side led at the interval and pulled clear in the second half despite some Italian resistance. Italy, who had beaten England the previous weekend, came into the match hoping to finish fourth in the table but were unable to match Wales’s urgency in Cardiff.
Background and form going in
Wales had lost their opening four fixtures of the 2026 championship to England, France, Scotland and Ireland, and arrived on Super Saturday desperate to avoid a third consecutive winless Six Nations. Italy, meanwhile, were riding the high of their historic Round 4 victory over England in Rome, Gonzalo Quesada’s side looking to back up that result with another strong performance to finish the tournament.
History and Records
The victory was Wales’s first in the Six Nations since beating Italy 29-17 in Rome on 11 March 2023. Matt Sherratt’s side had gone 11 consecutive Six Nations matches without a win before the Super Saturday result. Italy finished the 2026 championship in fourth place on nine points, ahead of England and Wales, their best showing in several years. Wales took home the Wooden Spoon for a third consecutive season despite the Cardiff victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Wales vs Italy in the 2026 Six Nations?
Wales beat Italy 31-17 at the Principality Stadium on Saturday 14 March 2026.
Was this Wales’s first Six Nations win in three years?
Yes. It was Wales’s first Six Nations victory since beating Italy in Rome in March 2023.
Where was the match held?
At the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Did Wales avoid the Wooden Spoon?
No. Wales finished bottom of the table for a third successive year despite the win.