Six Nations results: Josh Adams scores hat-trick as Wales get bonus point win over Italy in opening game

Six Nations results: Josh Adams scores hat-trick as Wales get bonus point win over Italy in opening game
Football

Josh Adams scored a hat-trick of tries as Wales thrashed Italy 42-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

The opening match of the 2020 Six Nations saw Wayne Pivac in charge of a Wales Test team for the first time against Italy.

Wayne Pivac took charge of Wales for the first time

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Wayne Pivac took charge of Wales for the first time

Pivac, who had the benefit of a November non-capped game against the Barbarians, gave Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl his debut with George North moved inside to 13 and Saracens centre Nick Tompkins on the bench in Cardiff.

Wales put points on the board through three Dan Biggar penalties to lead 9-0 in the early stages.

McNicholl was forced off for a Head Injury Assessment and Tompkins came on to win his first cap, with North reverting to his usual wing position.

The first try of the game came after 18 minutes when Wales line-out ball set up the backs and Leigh Halfpenny sent Josh Adams over in the corner for his eighth score in as many Tests.

Josh Adams scored three tries for Wales

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Josh Adams scored three tries for Wales

Biggar missed the conversion but Wales were in command at 14-0.

McNicholl returned to the field after his HIA and Adams – top try scorer at the World Cup – dived over in the corner again after Biggar produced a cheeky pass through his legs. Biggar added the conversion this time and Wales went to the break 21-0 ahead.

Italy improved to set up camp in the Wales 22 at the start of the second half.

But the Azzurri could not find a way through and replacement Tompkins surged 40 metres on the hour mark for a superb try on debut.

Nick Tompkins celebrates his try

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Nick Tompkins celebrates his try

Biggar converted for a 28-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining, before North was disallowed the bonus-point try by a Tompkins knock-on.

The fourth try – and the bonus point – did arrive in the 77th minute when Wales drove close to the line and North forced his way over.

It was North’s 40th try for Wales and moved him into second place on the all-time try list alongside Gareth Thomas, with Halfpenny converting.

Adams completed his hat-trick in the final seconds and another Halfpenny conversion took the final score to 42-0.