A George North hat-trick inspired a second-half blitz from Wales as they destroyed Italy to put themselves firmly in contention for the 2015 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
The Welsh came into the game knowing that, with a 25-point deficit to England and a 21-point gap to Ireland, they would in all likelihood need to run riot in Rome to have a chance of securing the title.
And after a sluggish first half where Jamie Roberts and Giovanbattista Venditti swapped scores, Warren Gatland’s side hit the accelerator after the break – running in 47 points.
Liam Williams was the first to go over before North then grabbed a treble, all before the hour mark, as Dan Biggar impressed from the kicking tee – Leigh Halfpenny taken off for a head injury in the first half.
Italy lost both Andrea Masi and Quintin Geldenhuys to yellow cards as Jacques Brunel’s Italy wilted in the face of the Welsh firepower and late on Gatland’s side increased their points difference with scores from Rhys Webb and Sam Warburton that took them over the half-century mark.
Scott Williams rounded off a sensational second half for Wales who will now watch on in Rome to see if they have done enough to secure their third Championship in the last four years .
A late Leonardo Sarto consolation provided one last twist and Ireland and England need to win their games by 20 and 16 points respectively to have a chance of lifting the trophy – all the more remarkable considering Wales’ opening round loss to England in Cardiff.
While much of the focus before the game had been on how many points Wales could rack up in Rome, it was the hosts who made the perfect start.
Welsh obstruction in claiming the kick-off presented a kickable penalty to the Azzurri and Kelly Haimona, who has struggled from the tee in this year’s RBS 6 Nations, slotted over.
That was as good as it got the Kiwi-born fly-half however, as he was stretchered off moments later after coming off second best in a collision with Roberts.
Wales were starting to get into the groove as Webb and Liam Williams combined well off the base of a scrum to make initial inroads and when the ball was worked right they won a penalty that Halfpenny slotted to level things up.
Luciano Orquera, on for Haimona, then traded penalties with Halfpenny in a scrappy start meaning it was 6-6 with a quarter of an hour played.
But while the Italians had started strongly it was Wales who scored the game’s first try, Jonathan Davies making the initial burst before his centre partner Roberts dived onto to Halfpenny’s grubber for a fine score.
Halfpenny missed the conversion from wide on the left and while an 11-6 lead was encouraging for the visitors any fears of an early Italian capitulation were immediately put to bed.
The Italian scrum, with the returning Martin Castrogiovanni, won a penalty against the inexperienced Welsh front-row and a rolling maul brought the Azzurri deep into Welsh territory.
The ball was then spread left and after the forwards set up a maul in open play it was winger Venditti who snuck over for their first try, Orquera’s conversion putting them back in front at 13-11.
The Italian scrum continued to impress as Castrogiovanni was winning penalties from the inexperienced Rob Evans, seemingly at will.
And before the interval Wales were dealt another blow when Halfpenny was taken off for a knock to the head after bravely stopping a huge Samuela Vunisa carry.
Scott Williams was introduced meaning Liam Williams moved to full-back and with the interval approaching Wales upped the pressure, Biggar turning down a shot at goal to kick to the corner.
The Italians withstood the initial charge but when they were penalised again for going offside Biggar opted to take the points and Wales went in at the break leading 14-13.
Back in front and with the sun out, Wales needed to chase points in the second half to put the pressure on Ireland and England, who play later this afternoon.
And while the initial Welsh forward advances were repelled after the interval, the pressure eventually told as a quick tap penalty from Webb released Liam Williams to dive under the posts.
Biggar added the extras and now Wales were motoring, Liam Williams claiming an Italian chip and releasing North down the left for his first try and with only 50 minutes played Wales were all of a sudden 28-13 ahead.
With half an hour still to play that meant Wales were only six points behind Ireland on points difference with England a further four points clear.
Italy’s cause was not helped when Masi was sent to the sin bin for an off-the-ball tackle and Wales’ fourth try did not take long to arrive, North again the one to profit in the left corner after being fed by Davies.
Biggar slotted the extras and when North sidestepped his way under the posts for his hat-trick moments later Wales were 42-13 ahead with less than an hour played.
Warren Gatland’s side now had 20 minutes remaining to rack up as many scores as possible to increase their lead on points difference.
Masi returned from his ten minutes in the bin but Italy were not at their full complement for long as Geldenhuys was next to see yellow for persistent Italian infringements.
Webb, who had started the second-half blitz, then grabbed a try for himself as he used his strength to twist his way over down the right.
Biggar missed the conversion but still Wales kept coming and the next was probably the best try of the lot, Scott Williams and Justin Tipuric both offloading out of the tackle to release skipper Warburton to canter clear.
An eighth successive win over Italy was now firmly secured with a 54-13 lead and ten minutes still to play and late on it was replacement Scott Williams who went over for his side’s eighth try, and seventh in the second period.
Sarto did grab one consolation try back for Italy with the last play of the game but attention now turns to Edinburgh and London after Wales laid down the gauntlet in emphatic style.
