WALES coach Scott Johnson had asked the public to keep the faith ahead of the clash with Italy at the Millennium Stadium but will now be severely tested after the Azzurri battled their way to a famous draw. To put this result into context, no side has dropped points at home to the Italians in the six years since they were admitted to the Six Nations, and this comes just 12 months after Wales winning the Grand Slam.

And things could have been far worse for Wales, who lost composure in the face of a determined Italian effort, had out-half Ramiro Pez not left his kicking boots in Rome. Pez missed three penalties and a conversion. The reaction was muted at full-time but this result marks a major step forward in the development of Italian rugby.

They matched Ireland, England and France for an hour before falling off the pace in the last quarter. But after Stephen Jones had levelled the scores with 20 minutes left, Italy continued to press, forcing Wales to play from their own half and earned a deserved draw. Wales had started the better and opened a 15-5 lead with tries from outhalf Stephen Jones and winger Mark Jones. But Italy battled hard, especially in defence, and were rewarded with a controversial try for full-back Ezio Galon and a breakaway score on the stroke of halftime from Pablo Canavosio.

The second half was attritional and error strewn with neither side willing to take risks. Johnson's future also remains up the air . . . he has been offered a coaching role with Australia . . . and questions will be asked as to where Welsh rugby goes now.

They began well, forcing Italy onto the back foot with intelligent tactical kicking. The Azzurri were penalised at the first scrum and Jones slotted Wales into a 3-0 lead. The loss of scrum-half Dwayne Peel to a shoulder injury hit Wales hard, but not immediately.

A silky move carved open the Italian defence for Mark Jones to score in the corner.

Hal Luscombe's inside pass to Shane Williams, who looped round off his wing, created the overlap for Jones. Italy hit back strongly, posting a response with a try from Galon . . . but it was awarded in controversial circumstances.

Wales overthrew a line-out, Italy snatched possession back and spun the ball wide where Galon sauntered untouched over the line, but the full-back was just too relaxed and under pressure from Luscombe appeared to have slid over the dead ball line before touching down.

An immediate response went begging as lock Ian Gough spilled Martyn Williams' pass within touching distance of the line, but Stephen Jones showed how it should be done. The outhalf burst onto a pass from Mike Phillips . . . Peel's replacement . . . and spun through three defenders to score.

Pez reduced the arrears with a penalty, and while Italy were under pressure Canavosio picked off a pass Watkins had intended for Luscombe and sprinted 70 metres for a converted try that levelled the half-time scores at 15-15.

The Italians emerged in determined mood and Wales lost all composure as the Azzurri applied the pressure.

Mirco Bergamasco, one of Italy's star men this championship, launched a blistering counter-attack and chipped into space behind Lee Byrne only for the Wales full-back to tackle him off the ball.

Byrne escaped the yellow card but this time Pez was successful with the penalty and Italy moved ahead.

Italy had to make their pressure count but Pez missed with two more penalty attempts in the third quarter and Stoica, on for Canavosio, sent a drop-goal wide. Once again, Italy were a going concern heading after an hour . . .

but ahead of them lay the crucial test and Wales began to ring the changes. Jones levelled the scores again at 18 apiece with a penalty but Wales could not conjure up another breakthrough.

Italy skipper Marco Bortolami hailed the efforts of his team after the game, saying:

"We have to be pleased we got a draw. It's a very good performance, the game was there to win. We played 100%, this is the Italy we want to see. We play Scotland in Rome and we want to win that match.

We're very confident."

WALES L Byrne, M Jones, H Luscombe, M Watkins, S Williams, S Jones, D Peel, D Jones, R Thomas, A Jones, I Gough, R Sidoli, C Charvis, M Williams, M Owen Subs M Phillips for Peel, 9 mins; A Popham for Charvis, 52 mins; G Jenkins for D Jones, 58 mins; M Davies for R Thomas, 76 mins; J Thomas for Sidoli, 80 mins Scorers S Jones try, 2 pens, con; M Jones, try ITALY E Galon, P Canavosio, G Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, L Nitoglia, R Pez, P Griffen, S Perugini, C Festuccia, C Nieto, S Dellape, M Bortolami, S Parisse, M Zaf"ri, J Sole Replacements: Festuccia, Lo Cicero, Castrogiovanni, Del Fava, Zanni, Picone, Stoica Subs M Castrogiovanni for Nieto, 30 mins; C Stoica for Canavosio, 47 mins; C Del Fava for Dellape, 50 mins; F Ongaro for Festuccia, 71 mins; A Zanni for Parisse, 78 mins; A Lo Cicero for Zaf"ri, 80+7 mins;

Scorers Galon, Canavosio try each; Pez 2 cons, pen Referee J Jutge (France)