The image of a hooded Warren Gatland sheltering from the relentlessness of the Roman rain will likely be the one which defines his awful second tenure as Wales head coach.

Because after this defeat by Italy took Gatland’s already-record losing run to 14 Tests, it now feels close to certain he will depart his role at the end of this Six Nations.

Welsh teams used to hammer Italy. Now, after yet another defeat, they have dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings – below Georgia – and look set for a second consecutive Championship wooden spoon. Some of Rome’s oldest buildings are nearly 2,000 years old and for Wales fans, it’s beginning to feel like it’s that long since their side last won a game.

Sadly, there was once again nothing for them to cheer about. Wales should not be this bad.

They have young players of talent, but the truth is that Gatland and his staff’s underwhelming coaching of them has left them looking clueless.

Wales’ dismal start to the Six Nations continue as they were defeated by Italy on Saturday

The hosts ran out 22-15 winners to mark back-to-back victories at the Stadio Olimpico

Warren Gatland’s side have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup, with their winless streak is now approaching 500 days

The most depressing aspect of this result is that Italy didn’t have to do a lot to win. Once again, Wales offered nothing in attack.

Their tactics were substandard. They conceded 14 penalties. Their kicking game was poor.

When Ben Thomas put boot to ball, he did so stood far too deep. The result was that often his kicks were excessively long, meaning Welsh runners could not compete for possession.

Saturday marked 490 days since Wales’ last international win which came at the 2023 World Cup. It is hard to escape the feeling Wales need a total coaching reshuffle.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s hierarchy was here in Rome. They are unlikely to remove Gatland from his position midway through the Six Nations, but it is now close to certain they will do so come the tournament’s end. That’s because the brutal statistics now show that in his 26 games since returning to the Wales job, Gatland has managed only six wins.

This was Wales’ first defeat in Rome in 18 years.

While Liam Williams’ late withdrawal due to a knee injury was expected, the pre-match loss of the ill Dafydd Jenkins was not and was a real blow given his importance to the Welsh line-out. Heavy pre-match rain at the Stadio Olimpico meant the set-piece became more important than usual, making the absence of giant lock Jenkins highly significant.

He was replaced in the starting side by Freddie Thomas, with Teddy Williams coming on to the bench. It was unsurprising to see Italy immediately target the Welsh line-out in what were incredibly difficult conditions. Tommaso Allan’s penalty opened the scoring.

Ben Thomas’ kicking repeatedly failed to find their target as Wales struggled to mount effective offence

Gatland’s second stint as the Wales boss is virtually assured to be over after the tournament

Gatland had said his team were guilty of overplaying in their 43-0 round-one hammering by France.

As a result, Wales were always going to kick more in Rome. But they did so poorly. One of Wales’ few moments of promise came when Tomos Williams cross-kicked to Josh Adams, but the wing couldn’t collect. After failing to score in a Test for the first time since 2007 in France, Wales were relieved to get on the board through three points from Thomas.

Soon, though, they were behind. With a penalty advantage following a strong scrum surge, Paolo Garbisi dummied and sent a wonderful kick through. Ange Capuozzo dotted down.

It was the game’s first moment of real class and Allan added the extras.

With their scrum on top, Italy were also gaining an advantage in the kicking game. The rain worsened.

And Wales, crucially, started to cough up breakdown penalties – allowing Allan to kick another six points. Adams again couldn’t make the most of another good Tomos Williams kick through, but Italy deserved to lead 16-3 at the break.

Liam Williams’ replacement Blair Murray scorched through midfield early in the second half, his break coming after Gatland replaced his entire front row.

Thomas was also then substituted, Dan Edwards coming on at No 10. You had to feel for the Cardiff man, whose best position is clearly inside centre.

Wales made a number of tactical changes early on but failed to seize control of the game

The visitors reduced the deficit late on but were ultimately unable to avoid yet another defeat 

Italy’s scrum stayed on top. Wales’ penalty count mounted. The only surprise was that Allan missed two kick chances to extend the Italian lead, even if the second was difficult. Wales assistant Jonathan Humphreys held his head in his hands in the coaching box.

Even the presence of the great Taulupe Faletau, back in the side for the first time since his country last won a Test at the 2023 World Cup, couldn’t help Wales.

And when Adams was yellow carded for making head-on-head contact with Garbisi, the game was up, if it hadn’t been already. Allan kicked another three just to make sure.

Gatland’s hands were folded. He looked frustrated at what he was seeing. Not all of Welsh rugby’s ills are his fault, but the lack of any on-field coherence is.

Wales might yet spring what would be a huge surprise by beating one of Ireland, Scotland or England in their three remaining matches, but that looks unlikely. After the last of those games, a coaching change must happen for the good of the Welsh game. The late drama shouldn’t detract from the fact Wales were well beaten.

Freddie Thomas had a try ruled out, but then Welsh replacement Aaron Wainwright crossed with Edwards’ kick hitting the post. Allan’s fifth penalty made the game safe, but the kick was needed as Italy saw replacements Marco Riccioni and Dino Lamb yellow carded in the final few minutes, allowing Wales a penalty try.