A Mauro Bergamasco try three minutes from time gave the Italians a 23-20 triumph in Rome to ensure their most successful campaign for Italy since they joined the competition in 2000.

The Italians went into the encounter in the Eternal City full of optimism after their 37-17 triumph over Scotland in Edinburgh - their first away win in the history of the competition.

We showed that we really wanted the win and my try is the merit of the whole group, said a delighted Bergamasco.

This is a sport where you suffer but the most important thing is that we have won, we have clinched our second straight win and we must continue to play as we are doing.

Team-mate Sergio Parisse, who was named man-of-the-match, could not hide his joy.
It's incredible, he said. We have proved today that we can play just as well at home and away.

This is the result of all the hard work we have done in the last year and now we can celebrate.

I am really proud of what we have achieved in front of our home fans.

Now we have one week to train for our next game against Ireland and we expect to finish in style.

Captain Marco Bortolami dedicated the triumph over Wales to his team-mates that were absent through injury for the encounter, including Fabio Ongaro.

This win is for the team-mates that have been unable to be here today with us because of injury, he said. The strength of Italy is the collective, we have proved once again that we can beat anyone. We have to continue to work really hard.

Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) president Giancarlo Dondi praised his team.

I think the players have been fantastic, said Dondi. I am touched, it has been a great day for Italian rugby.

It was a thrilling ending to the game and I have to admit that I had to sit down because my legs were trembling.

I am sure that the team can give further satisfaction to our fans. We must keep our feet firmly on the ground, hoping to keep on flying in our last game.