Disappointment of the tournament

With 90 seconds to go on Saturday it was probably Wales’ attack, which failed to fire in the autumn and once again in the Six Nations, producing only eight tries (the same as England, for what it’s worth). But it has to be the ignominy of losing to Italy at home, turning what was meant to be a celebration of Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar’s 150th and 100th Wales caps respectively into a nightmare.

How safe is the head coach?

Probably fine despite four losses out of five, given that Wales still missed a couple of notable players due to injury in Justin Tipuric and Ken Owens, blooded promising youngsters in this tournament such as Dewi Lake and did win the Six Nations title last year. Still, Wayne Pivac’s stock has never been lower and Wales need to start to show some growth in attack, where they appear to be regressing. Right now, it doesn’t feel guaranteed that Pivac stays beyond 2023.

What are their 2023 World Cup prospects looking like?

Not great. A repeat of 2019’s semi-final appearance, when Wales came so close to beating South Africa, at present feels a long way off despite Pivac repeating throughout his tenure when Wales have blooded multiple new caps and whether they have won or lost that everything comes down to being right for the World Cup. Australia and Fiji, despite beating both in the autumn, will cause Wales problems in Pool C.

Overall grade: D

By Ben Coles

Italy

Star of the tournament

The captain Michele Lamaro is very unlucky to miss out there, having topped the tackle count for the tournament with 86 and led his side superbly over the last seven weeks. But the impact Ange Capuozzo has had, not forgetting his brace against Scotland but primarily with that remarkable break to set up the match-winning try by Edoardo Padovani against Wales, has given Italy a genuine star at full-back, all 11 stone of him, to excite the nation along with the promising Paolo Garbisi at fly-half. Danilo Fischetti, the loosehead, had a super tournament and Italy will always threaten sides with Monty Ioane haring around.