Wales kick-off Six Nations campaign with bonus point victory against Italy

Wales got their Six Nations campaign off to a good start after their 42-0 bonus point win again Italy in the Principality Stadium.

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

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.

After an injury-hit two years, Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau made his first Wales appearance since March 2018 and skipper Alun Wyn Jones won his 135th cap for his country.

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.

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.

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