WALES Under-20s’ Six Nations got off to a disastrous start after being outplayed by Italy in Colwyn Bay.

The Welsh youngsters started swiftly to open the scoring through Scarlets-bound fly-half Sam Costelow but were then bossed by the Italians, who secured a deserved 17-7 triumph.

Italy came back with a bang via a try from Matteo Drudi while Paolo Garbisi ended the game with 12 points via four penalties.

Welsh-born Italian scrum-half Stephen Varney was the man of the match following an impressive display which saw him control the game from the base.

Wales made the perfect start when Dragons centre Aneurin Owen put fly-half Costelow over with a nice inside ball, the Leicester playmaker adding the extras.

Italy had come to play with an impressive desire to spread the ball wide and that was backed up by a powerful forward display which helped them get on top.

After initially being withheld from the try line by some impressive Wales defence, the Azzurri finally crossed the line. Giant loosehead prop Drudi was the scorer as he came up with the ball.

Fly-half Garbisi couldn’t convert the try from wide out, but the Italian – who had an impressive game like his half-back partner Varney – did kick a penalty before the break.

It meant Italy went to the break with a narrow 8-7 advantage.

Wales struggled to get going in the second half as they compounded an error with another mistake.

They also struggled with their discipline and it allowed Garbisi to kick two quick penalties soon after the resumption.

It made it 14-7 to the Azzurri and left Wales needing a converted try to level the game.

It never arrived and the margin of defeat could have been worse had Garbisi and replacement Mattia Ferrarin not missed further kicks at goal late on.

Garbisi did boot another successful three points and it was enough for an Italian win.