The Italians had arrived in Cardiff confident of registering a first-ever away success in the championship but were blown away in a six-try Welsh rout.

That was our worst performance in the Six Nations and it is not a great way for us to finish, said Kirwan.

I am very disappointed with the result. I felt that we may be got caught up in the hype and our mental approach to the game was not what it should have been.

It is very disappointing to finish the Six Nations like that from what I consider for Italy has been a positive championship.

We allowed Wales to play to their strengths and they came up with some pretty exciting rugby. I thought they were outstanding at times.

But we allowed too many turnovers and missed tackles and you just cannot do that at this level.

The defeat will again raise question marks over the New Zealanders future but he insisted: It is not my intention to give up. That is something I never do.