Wales were the Six Nations champions who slid into ignominy

Those who read the runes had it half right.

Fears in February that Wales’ title defence was doomed proved well founded. Just no one saw them sliding quite this far into ignominy.

Supporters soaking up the sunshine on Saturday knew history and emotion were nigh, too. Just not this type.

Italy’s stunning victory over Wales was their first win in the Six Nations since 2015

‘Probably the lowest point in most of the players’ (international) careers,’ is how Wayne Pivac described this humiliation. Hard to argue. Still hard to fathom, though. The Welsh procession which began before kick-off was supposed to last 80 minutes more. First Dan Biggar emerged to toast 100 caps. Then Alun Wyn Jones and his daughters followed for appearance No 150.

Italy arrived boasting remarkable numbers, too: 12 Six Nations wins in 22 years; none in 36 matches.

And yet, when Jones’ children reappeared at full-time, celebration had made way for shellshock. Wales had planned a party for their two history boys. Instead, after Edoardo Padovani’s last-gasp score, they watched as Ange Capuozzo and Paolo Garbisi were hoisted aloft during an Italian lap of honour.

‘A loss can only be accepted if we improve,’ Pivac said. It’s hard to see how Wales could sink much lower. And then you remember their next assignment: South Africa this summer.

‘We go there with an idea of how far we are from the world champions 12 months out from a World Cup,’ Pivac said. ‘It’s not a bad place to be when you look at it from that point of view.’

An interesting perspective after four defeats and this dreadful display. From last season’s title, a second fifth-place finish in three years.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Wayne Pivac with the Rugby World Cup only a year away

No wonder concerns about the wider state of Welsh rugby are resurfacing.

No wonder people are asking: is Pivac the right man to lead them forward?

‘They’re entitled to their view,’ the coach said. ‘There are people in positions higher up than myself that make the decisions you’re alluding to. I’m not bothered by that. It’s about doing what we think is the right thing for this group and we believed in the squad we put out.’

By the end, however, faith seemed to be fraying in some quarters: ‘That’s probably the last chance for a lot of players,’ Biggar admitted.

Jones, too, predicted ‘a line in the sand’ after this.

Dan Biggar admitted that a lot of players won’t have the chance to represent Wales again now

Neither named names. But who of Wales’ new breed cemented their international futures? Except perhaps Will Rowlands.

Those hoping for more overhaul in personnel or philosophy, however, are likely to be disappointed.

‘Nothing changes,’ Pivac claimed. ‘We have to stay strong and believe in what we’re doing. This group does and we believe in the players.’

Pivac did promise a ‘very thorough’ inquest. He vowed Wales would ‘build’ in search of more consistency and ruthlessness. ‘If we don’t it’s been a waste of time,’ Pivac admitted.

First though? ‘Count to 10, sleep on it. Let those emotions subside and in the cold light of day reflect.’

Alun Wyn Jones is trying to remain optimistic but Saturday’s defeat was a low point for Wales

Even then, this won’t be an easy watch. What does it say for Pivac’s more expansive brief that Italy played the more inventive, fearless rugby? Capuozzo and Monty Ioane were the game’s standout threats.

Wales lacked discipline, they struggled at the breakdown. They scored eight tries all Championship – 12 fewer than last year.

Pivac insisted they are well set defensively, even after Biggar threw his boot in disgust and pointed towards the hole that Capuozzo had waltzed through minutes earlier.

No wonder some are asking: is this progress?

‘It can definitely get better, can’t it?’ Jones said. The 36-year-old’s future is among the issues that need resolving. Jones hinted he could now tour South Africa to make up for time lost through injury. ‘The plan is the plan, if that needs to change, I am sure it will,’ he said.

The same could be said for Wales and Pivac.