Wales climbed up to second in the Six Nations championship table with a bonus-point 38-14 defeat of Italy at the Principality Stadium.

Tries from Hadleigh Parkes, George North (2), Cory Hill and Justin Tipuric did the damage for the hosts but it was not all plain sailing for Warren Gatland's side.

Italy dominated possession for much of the first half but despite their endeavour were unable to put real pressure on Wales at any stage.

Matteo Minozzi's 10th-minute try did cut the deficit to seven points but Conor O'Shea's visitors did not trouble the scorers again until Mattia Bellini's late consolation.

The bonus-point victory takes Wales -- who began the day fifth -- above England, France and Scotland ahead of their final round clash with Les Bleus in Cardiff.

Wales were forced into a late change ahead of kick off as illness forced replacement prop Samson Lee to pull out, with Rhodri Jones taking his place on the bench.

Many of those inside the Principality Stadium had come to be entertained and Wales made the perfect start as they scored two tries within the opening six minutes.

Parkes was the first to profit as he bulldozed his way through the Italian defence from close range to score his third Test try.

Italy barely had time to catch their breath as Owen Watkin snaffled an intercept as the Azzurri attacked from the restart, before setting off for the the try line.

The Ospreys centre did not quite possess the gas to make it himself but North made good ground in support and took a pass on his shoulder before sliding over the line.

It looked a long way back for the Italians, but they would cut the deficit within minutes as Matteo Minozzi finished well in the left corner.

Wales thought they had restored their two-score lead in the 18th minute as Gareth Davies raced onto Steff Evans' chip ahead to dot down under the posts.

But the scrum-half was standing in front of his Scarlets teammate when he kicked the ball on and after consulting with his TMO, referee Jerome Garces brought play back.

For the next 10 minutes Italy had the better of the match, but were unable to eat further into Wales' lead as a presentable penalty was kicked to the corner rather than the posts, before Tommaso Allan failed to convert a second from longer range.

It was Wales who would keep the scoreboard ticking as Anscombe landed a penalty following an Italian handling error.

However, there was still time for some drama. With time in the half running out Liam Williams was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on his opposite number Minozzi.

Despite starting the second half a man light, it was Wales who struck first as Hill burrowed over from close range to settle home nerves and put his side within reach of a bonus point.

It was not all rosy for Wales, though, and they would be reduced to 13 men for a few minutes after Gareth Davies was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on.

With around 30 minutes to go the hosts would return to a full complement but it was Leigh Halfpenny, and not Williams, who would come on. The latter cut a dejected figure as he realised his chance to impress at fullback had come to an end.

The yellow card for Davies meant that the hosts had to play with at least one man light for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, but Italy were unable to make any inroads on the scoreboard despite their numerical advantage.

Wales would be denied a bonus-point clinching fourth try as TMO Marius Jonker decided he could not see a clear grounding as Parkes powered over from close range.

Italy's respite was short-lived, however, as from the resulting scrum Wales worked the ball to North who dived over for his second of the match. Not long afterwards Tipuric would add a fifth as the hosts put added gloss on the scoreline.

There was time before the end for Mattia Bellini to add a consolation second for the Italians, but it did nothing to change the result. Italy's misery was compounded as Tommaso Benvenuti was shown a yellow card with less than three minutes left.