The bond between Wales and Italy is a very close one, particularly in the Welsh capital, and when heading northwards up in to the valleys.

There was a time when every little town and community in Wales had an Italian cafe and an ice cream parlour.

Many of them have now disappeared, or been superseded by multi-national chains, but the memories still remain, not just of the cafes, but also of the people who ran them and how they and their establishments became a centre of those communities.

As Wales and Italy prepared to battle it out, Cardiff’s wealth of Italian eateries filled up, Giovanni’s, Da Mara’s, Stefano’s and Antonio’s provided a conveyor belt service of antipasto, meatballs al forno and pizza.

The whole of Wales hoped their men would stir to avoid a third consecutive Guinness Six Nations whitewash a hope that was accompanied with a hint of expectation following two encouraging performances against Scotland and Ireland.

Optimism in Cardiff yesterday may have centred around two crucial factors. one-that the Italians had indulged in a few Peroni’s too many after their historic win over England in the eternal city and, secondly that the blistering pace and balletic footwork of Rhys Bielle-Carre, the new Welsh folk hero, would prove too much for the blue defensive wall.

On the final day of a Six Nations championship where the only thing predictable has been its unpredictability, Wales finally ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak in glorious style with a bonus-point win.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright crossed for two tries with a further score from captain Dewi Lake. Impressive fly-half Dan Edwards finished with 16 points, including a try and a drop-goal, as Wales romped into a 31-0 lead.

For once Welsh fans could actually sit on the sofa rather than crouch behind it. With a big lead even Italy’s comeback did not create the usual gut wrenching nerve jangling last ten minutes usually associated with any Welsh win.

The win did not prevent delivery of the wooden spoon but the fact that Wales stirred so magnificently softened the blow immensely.

This performance compared to the opening day surrender at Twickenham was chalk and Mozzarella. Wales have not only found the tunnel they also appear to have seen the light at the end of it.

On a Spring Sunday morning with the sun shining and a Wales win racing around your head things feel pretty good, and after a dark grim Winter, I think we’ll settle for that.