Western Mail

Gatland Can Forget About Winning the Title As Italy Are Left Kicking Themselves

VICTORY for Wales, but they can forget about winning the Six Nations title on the evidence of this. Warren Gatland's men needed to pile up the points at Stadio Flaminio to remain firmly in the hunt, but an eight-point margin of victory over the Italians was about 40 too light.

Roman Victory Was Present I'll Be Happy with If We Can Build On It Now

I T was my birthday on Saturday, and as presents go, a Wales win wasn't a bad one. No, it wasn't champagne stuff from us in Rome by any means, but perhaps its a good sign that we have returned dissatisfied with what we produced. A win is a win, but we weren't happy with quite a lot of what we did, so after days off today and tomorrow, we'll be back in camp on Wednesday working hard to put right what was poor.

We Showed Resolve but Must Improve for Ireland - Jamie

JAMIE ROBERTS has handed Warren Gatland another selection dilemma by admitting he revelled in his centre partnership with James Hook in Rome. Gatland admitted he was forced to shift Hook next to his fellow British Lion for the clash against Italy following the loss of Jon Davies through injury.

Byrne Is Still Sure That Was Real Try

LEE BYRNE hit out at the decision to disallow his first-half 'try' against Italy, insisting that referee Wayne Barnes made the wrong call. The Ospreys full-back ran a lovely angle to spear through the Azzurri defence only to be hauled back because of an alleged forward pass.

History Man Hook Just Happy It's Two Out of Two On the Road

JAMES HOOK wrote his name into Welsh rugby history, but admitted the team's performance in Rome will not last in the memory bank. The mercurial Ospreys ace became the fastest Wales player to win 50 Test caps some four years and 260 days after making his debut in Argentina.

Rees Puts His Finger On Vital Moments

WALES skipper Matthew Rees believes his side's defence and winning a crucial scrum penalty in their own 22 midway though the second half were the key factors in a 24-16 victory at the Stadio Flaminio. "We knew with the wind behind us in the first half we needed to get as many points on the board as we possibly could," said Rees.

We Need to Be More Patient and Direct in Our Play Against the Irish, Urges Upbeat Alun Wyn

ALUN Wyn Jones has urged Wales be more patient and direct when they face Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in 12 days time. The lock forward appealed for a more calm approach following a somewhat unconvincing 24-16 victory over Italy in Rome.

Dad Predicted That His Sam Would Touch Down for a First Wales Try

SAM WARBURTON revealed he has his dad to thank for his first try for his country in the victory over Italy. The Wales flanker, who produced another impressive and mature performance in the number seven jersey, revealed his father had already predicted Warburton junior would cross the whitewash at the Stadio Flamino.

Gatland Still has His Eyes On Title

WALES coach Warren Gatland believes his side are building towards an unlikely tilt at the Six Nations title. Gatland watched his side claim a second successive away game with victory in Rome adding to their win against Scotland.

Mallett Laments Missed Chances

FRUSTRATED Italian coach Nick Mallett believes his side lacked the clinical edge to have beaten Wales in Rome. Mallett bemoaned the first-half try that was disallowed for flanker Alessandro Zanni by the video referee and the crucial four missed kicks at goal by the Italian kickers, with wing Mirco Bergamasco guilty of three failures.

Bluebirds Find Their Form to Keep Up the Premier Drive

CARDIFF CITY'S players watched part of Swansea's impressive victory on their way to the KC Stadium - and then sent out their own statement of intent. Second-placed Swansea swept to a 3-0 win over promotion contenders Leeds United in a lunchtime kick-off to add a little more pressure on Cardiff.

Kirkland Is Latest Addition to the Side

CHRIS KIRKLAND headed to South Wales to join Cardiff City after watching Wigan's 4-0 defeat at home to Manchester United. The former England goalkeeper has joined the Bluebirds on loan for the rest of this season - and he'll be fighting to claim the first-team starting place over the final 12 Championship matches.

I've Made Point to Chelsea - Sinclair

SCOTT SINCLAIR believes he's proved a point to Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea after busting through the 20-goal mark. And he conceded he's daring to dream about strutting his stuff against the Blues next year as he continues to aid the Swans' push for the Premier League.

Liberty Fans Are Believers After Swans' Stunning Show

"AND now you're going to believe us." After the Leeds United net rippled for the third time, Swansea City fans finally started singing about promotion. It's been a long time coming given their side have been in the top six since October.

Gunners Wait for Trophy Still Goes On After Ace Martins Pounces Late

JIM VAN WIJK atWembley ARSENAL BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 VAN PERSIE 39 2ZIGIC 28 MARTINS 89 Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Rosicky, Song, Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin (Chamakh 77), van Persie (Bendtner 69). Not used: Almunia, Denilson, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Fahey (Martins 83), Gardner (Beausejour 50), Ferguson, Bowyer, Larsson, Zigic (Jerome 90). Not used: Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Parnaby ARSENAL'S six-year quest for a trophy goes on after Birm...

It Was Probably My 'Easiest' Goal Says Blues Final Hero Oba

BIRMINGHAM hero Obafemi Martins described the goal which won the Carling Cup for his side as "the easiest of my career." The substitute took advantage of a mix-up between Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny to score the winning goal in a 2-1 success in the 89th minute.

Two-Goal Hernandez Stars for United

MANCHESTER UNITED restored their four-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League as two goals by Javier Hernandez guided them to a 4-0 win at struggling Wigan. The Latics could have taken the lead before Sir Alex Ferguson's team went ahead following a trademark quick break.

Hammers at Their Best to Hit Reds

TEAM WEST HAM LIVERPOOL 3 1 WESTHAMproduced arguably their best display of the season to haul themselves back off the bottom of the Premier League and all but kill off Liverpool's faint Champions League hopes. Goals from Scott Parker, Demba Ba - rapidly developing into one of the signings of the January transfer window - and Carlton Cole secured all three points at Upton Park and kept the pressure on the Hammers' relegation rivals.

Duff Gives Hughes His Point to Prove at City

TEAM MANCHESTER CITY FULHAM 1 1 MARK HUGHES gained sweet revenge for his dismissal as Manchester City manager 14 months ago by virtually ending their Premier League title challenge. Damien Duff's leveller just after half-time was enough to deny the Blues victory, leaving them 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, having played a game more.

Students Proud Run Ended After Quickfire Goal Blast From Quay ; Welsh Cup

TEAM CONNAH'S QUAY4 UWIC 0 THE students dished out a humiliating 4-1 defeat to top-tier Bala Town in the previous round, but they were dealt a very harsh lesson this time by Cymru Alliance promotion hopefuls Connah's Quay. The visitors had hardly recovered from their journey when they found themselves two goals down in five minutes and 3-0 adrift inside 20.