Wales introduced their youngest-ever player in 18-year-old wing Tom Prydie for the visit of Italy to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
But it was not the grand finale to the RBS Six Nations that the Welsh were hoping for.
The best the 2008 Grand Slam champions could finish was fourth – as they did last year – and there was still the possibility they could finish bottom of the table.
Italy, who had also beaten Scotland and lost to France, England and Ireland, were forced to replace centre Andrea Masi and forwards Carlo del Fava and Paul Derbyshire from the side originally selected.