Rhys Webb: Remembering Wales’ Last Six Nations Win – Rome 2023
Rugby NewsFriday, 13 March 2026 at 09:26
It’s funny how certain games stay with you forever. For me, Wales’ 29–17 win over Italy in the Six Nations Championship in 2023 will always be one of those.
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.
Not just because it turned out to be Wales’ last win in the tournament for a while, but because it was my last but one game for Wales before I stepped away from international rugby.
And the journey to get there made it even more meaningful.
Frozen out, then another chance
A few years earlier I’d signed for RC Toulon. At the time that meant I was effectively frozen out of the Wales setup. I’d been the number one scrum-half and suddenly I wasn’t involved.
Then came the pandemic. During COVID there were no crowds, and I was asked to come back and help. I was told I was wanted again.
But as things developed, the approach changed. It became more of a development phase for younger players and for the next three years I barely had a look in.
It’s tough as a player when you know you can still perform at that level. You’re hungry, you’re still competing every week, but the opportunity just isn’t there.
Then in 2023, Warren Gatland returned as Wales head coach and finally I got another shot.
I was third choice at the time, but that didn’t matter to me. I was just desperate to prove and show I can still be the best .
A strange moment during the campaign
During that campaign my good mate Justin Tipuric announced he was retiring from international rugby.
It was funny in a way, because in my own mind I knew I was thinking the exact same thing. I just didn’t say anything at the time. I waited a few weeks before making my decision public.
The pressure before Italy
Heading into that game away in Rome we’d lost the matches before it and there was real pressure building. People were starting to talk about the wooden spoon.
But pressure has never bothered me. In fact, I thrive on it. I genuinely enjoy those moments when everything is on the line.
Italy are a seriously good side now. They’ve got a powerful pack and a backline full of exciting, experienced players. You don’t beat them by turning up at 70 or 80 percent. You’ve got to be 9 out of 10 across the board.
Our mindset was simple:
- Play with speed.
- Be accurate.
- Control the game.
If we did those things, I believed we’d win.
When it all clicks
Thankfully the game went pretty much exactly how I’d imagined it.
We managed to play with tempo, create a few line breaks and put real pressure on them. Personally, it was one of those days where things just seemed to click and I was lucky enough to be named Man of the Match.
Most importantly, we got the win.
Looking back now, knowing that it was Wales’ last victory in the Six Nations so far, it makes the memory even more special.
Looking ahead
Italy are no easy team to beat and if Wales want to win the next one, they’ll have to go up another gear again.
It’s about:
- Controlling the game
- Playing with tempo
- Being accurate at the breakdown
- Giving Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards quick ball so they can attack
But the most important thing is mindset.
Wales have got nothing to lose.
The performances have been improving every week.
From a Welsh fan’s perspective, I’d just say this: go out there and play with pride, excitement, hunger and bravery.
That’s what Welsh rugby is all about.
Come on boys.
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