So that’s that. The result was literally never in doubt, and a 42-0 scoreline will raise a few eyebrows in rival camps. Even if Italy weren’t the toughest of opponents today, Wales were ruthless and clinical, and demonstrated their cold-eyed determination to win the Six Nations again following last season’s Grand Slam triumph. England, Ireland, Scotland and France will all be painfully aware that a similar fate awaits them if they don’t perform when they come up against Alun Wyn Jones’s men.

Wayne Pivac’s stated aim of building his team’s attack while maintaining a very solid defence has got off to the best possible start. Warren-ball becomes Wayne-ball - and Wales’s Six Nations rivals have been warned. Thank you for reading today’s minute-by-minute and see you all next time. Bye.

Hot off the press - Paul Rees’s report from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff:

Wales coach Wayne Pivac speaks: “I’m pretty happy, getting the five points and the bonus point is important going forward. We defended well too, and we’re happy to keep them to zero. It was far from the perfect performance, there is definitely more we can do at the breakdown, with and without the ball ... There were some good performances out there, McNicholl and Tompkins both did well and Tompkins has a bright future.”

We will have the match report coming up soon ... meanwhile the hits keep on coming as another Six Nations kicks off today. Lee Calvert AKA Blood and Mud is on minute-by-minute duty for Ireland v Scotland which is kicking off in about 20 minutes:

Azzurri skipper Luca Bigi speaks after what looked to be a pretty demoralising day. But he’s not feeling too downhearted: “It was tough, we knew it was going to be. We played well, we created a lot but we didn’t finalise it ... we showed what we worked on in training. Our set-piece wasn’t going very well. We have to focus on our set-piece to create ball for our backs.”

The BBC pundits are picking over the finer tactical points. One of the star performers today, in my humble opinion, was Michael Cheika, who was a very entertaining and intelligent contributor in commentary.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones speaks: “We knew it was the start of the competition ... we’re very conscious of a strong and exciting Italian side that were coming here ... credit to them, we were flat at the start of the second half but we did what we needed to do. It’s a foundation for a new regime, there’s still four games in the competition, we’ll go one at a time. It’s a start, that’s all. Hopefully the squad will only get stronger when the injured guys come back.”

That was the 135th cap for Jones and he still looks physically dominant, not to mention incredibly composed and intelligent in the way he leads the team. What a player.

Michele Campagnaro, ex-Italy player, on the Azzurri’s efforts: “They’ve been fearless, they tried a lot, but unfortunately they didn’t finish any of their opportunities. But there are a lot of positives to take moving forward.”

Justin Tipuric has a chat with the BBC: “It’s a great team performance, it’s nice to start the campaign with a bonus-point win and it makes special to have a zero on the board, too. It’s a great start. I think we can keep getting better and better ... it’s just a snapshot of what we can do today. Hopefully we can improve as the tournament goes on. The strength in depth in the back row in Wales is crazy really ... whoever takes the field has to put a shift in.”

79 min: Tipuric, who has made a massive 21 tackles, gets an approving roar from the home fans as his Player of the Match award is announced on the PA. We are nearly into the red zone, time-wise, and Italy have a scrum on halfway. If he’s watching, Shaun Edwards - now with France - will cast an approving eye over that scoreline, with a big fat zero against Italy’s name ...

75 min: Five minutes to go. Attacking line-out for Wales ... right in the corner. A failure to get this bonus-point could cost them in the long run ...

73 min: The fresh legs of Jarrod Evans help to make inroads for Wales into the left-hand corner with a bright run. Italy turn it over, but then Canna slices a clearing kick almost straight into touch. Wales will have a good platform here to go for that fourth try ...

72 min: The Twittersphere is really loving James Tompkins ... David “Flats” Flatman weighs in:

70 min: Dan Biggar has gone off, for Jarrod Evans. A good day at the office for Biggar. For Italy, Federico Zani has come on for Luca Bigi.

69 min: A ball-carrying Ross Moriarty crunches into a tackle in midfield, and Wales are on the front foot again. But they really need this fourth try for the bonus point.

68 min: This is game over and was a long time ago, obviously. Wales fans, how does this performance make you feel about the team’s chances for the tournament? Fancy a win at Twickenham in a few weeks’ time?

66 min: Minozzi with a kick ahead now and into the danger zone for Wales, down the Italian left wing. But the kick flies into touch. He had a man inside him - and that’s a waste. Can they find a score, any score, in the next 15 minutes or so?

65 min: Tompkins is looking really good here, and is attracting some warm praise from Wales fans over on social media.

58 min: Again, Italy make a couple of decent runs in midfield, but again, they get nowhere. They are more often than not driven back in contact and fail to get over the gain line. Before the match, Pivac spoke of wanting to keep the Warren-ball defensive system while adding to the attack. That’s pretty much what they’ve done so far.

56 min: Rob Evans and Corey Hill come on for Wales. Licata and Hayward are on for Italy. On the pitch, Wales have a defensive scrum in their own 22.

54 min: “The Welsh were a bit more numberous in defence.” Michael Cheika has invented a new word! That is easily the best thing that’s happened since half-time. Numberous.

This victory will equal Wales’s Championship record of eight consecutive victories in the Six Nations, by the way. Their joint-winningest run in the competition.

52 min: Italy go through a couple of phases after the scrum, in the Welsh 22. Some might say they’re going through the motions, although that would be harsh. They are doing what they can, but Wales are just too strong. Now Italy are pinged for coming in at the side, Wales have a penalty, and the pressure is relieved. Meanwhile, Faletau goes off for Wales and Ross Moriarty comes on. The crowd is fairly quiet.

50 min: More good phase play and more strong carries from Italy. They progress into the Welsh 22, and win a penalty. They choose to have a scrum. Over in the Maldives, Sergio Parisse is probably on his third bottle of Peroni, shouting at the telly, willing his team-mates to at least get on the board here.

48 min: Not a massive amount happening right now, in truth. But there is some replacements news: Fischetti and Riccioni are on for Italy in the front row.

Again, Cheika bemoans the lack of quick ball from Italy, which is allowing the Welsh defence to reset at their leisure.

47 min: Here is that cheeky no-look Biggar pass. Looks OK to me! Good skills.

43 min: Wales full-back Halfpenny runs directly at the Italian defence, yet again, straight up the middle. Wales recycle the ball and work it left, and Tomos Williams makes another strong dart towards the Italy 22. But in the next phase, Jake Ball is penalised for an illegal clear-out.

41 min: Italy begin the second half with a couple of good, strong carries over the halfway line, including one from Polledri. Then Bellini makes a burst down the left.

Cheika again: “They’re carrying the ball strongly, the Italians, but there’s no quick ball.”

He’s good at this, is Cheika. He’s offering a lot of decent insights.

Geoff Wignall emails: “Wales are full value for their lead, clearly; but am I alone in thinking Biggar’s through the legs pass went forward?”

I didn’t notice that, I must admit ... anyone else?? Thanks for the email, Geoff.

The second half is just moments away. The players, in fact, are jogging out on to the pitch right now ...

Cheika sums up how Pivac and Wales will be treating this match: “This game will give them a chance to get their defensive system right with a new coach. When the bigger attacking threats come later in the tournament, they’ll be up for it.”

An email arrives from John Rogers:

“Hi Luke,

Here we are with another Six Nations and so far it’s all systems normal (i.e. Italy are struggling). Always at this time of year my thoughts turn to Dan Lucas. We miss you Dan and won’t ever forget you. I’m sure you’re running the great live commentary in the sky.”

Well said, John.

Ahead of “Le Crunch” tomorrow, here is Andy Bull on Fabien Galthié’s blueprint to beat Eddie Jones and England:

40 min + 2: Italy win a penalty for Wales collapsing the rolling maul ... Italy kick for touch again, and try the rolling maul again, but Wales hold firm and it comes to nothing.

40 min: Italy finish the half on the front foot, with three runners chasing down Leigh Halfpenny in the Welsh left-hand corner. Halfpenny does well, but Wales then cough up a penalty for hands on the floor - and Italy kick for touch. Can they establish a foothold right at the end of the half?

39 min: Faletau fights his way through a couple of tackles near the Italian line. But Allan wins a penalty after intercepting a Tomos Williams pass - and then effects an excellent clearing kick.

37 min: Nearly try No 3 for Wales! A charge-down bounces up invitingly for scrum-half Tomos Williams in the Italian 22 but he can’t quite gather it - and Italy winger Leonardo Sarto does well to grab the ball and clear the danger.

Now there’s a huge cheer for a bloke called Sam Warburton, who has run on with some water bottles. He is the breakdown coach, of course, and a bit of a legend in these parts.

Matt Dony emails in. Hello, Matt.

“Pivac-ball looking good so far. I didn’t have high hopes for this campaign, and yes, I know it’s ‘only’ Italy, but I’m encouraged by how fluent and together Wales have looked.”

Yes, this is pretty much a 10/10 display from Wales so far, and like Cheika said, it’s hardly as if Italy are a shambles. Wales have looked for space and punished the opposition clinically when they’ve found it. It’s reminiscent of that Georgia game in the Rugby World Cup when everything Wales tried in attack seemed to come off. Although they lost the plot in the second half that day ...

Cheika on commentary: “It’s not like Italy have played poorly ... especially in attack, they’ve put some nice moves together. But they’ve left a few spaces at the back and they’ve been punished.”

Too true. Italy have been decent, but they are being overwhelmed by a better team.

27 min: Super kick by scrum-half Williams into the corner with the full-back Minozzi missing, trapped at the bottom of a ruck. The ball bounces slowly, and perfectly finds touch, right in the corner. The crowd - who seem a touch quiet in general - roar their approval. Italy sensibly take it quickly though and successfully manage to clear the danger. Italy have shown some intelligence and skill in the way they’ve played their rugby so far - but Wales are still comfortably outclassing them.

25 min: A tidy line-out by Wales near halfway, and they spin the ball right, right across the field to the far side of the pitch as the camera looks at it. North then tries an elaborate off-load to his right-winger but it’s spoiled by an Italian hand.

23 min: More than halfway through the first half and Wales are cruising ... but a good scrum from Italy brings a penalty, which they waste by booting it straight back and into Welsh hands. Minozzi then makes another break in midfield after Wales, too, kick the ball back and keep it in play.

20 min: Brilliant up-and-under by Halfpenny, who surges upfield and claims his own kick in determined fashion. Attacking scrum for Wales now - but they give up a free-kick to Italy for an early engagement. Meanwhile McNicholl is back on after that HIA.

17 min: Canna frees Minozzi as Italy look to break on their left, but Minozzi is nailed by a fine tackle by Hadleigh Parkes. Tompkins then wins a penalty with some top jackling.

13 min: Biggar sends a superb touch-finder to the right-hand corner now and it’s a great platform for Wales to attack - but North knocks on as they spin it back to the right wing following the line-out. But Wales have another penalty for an attempted trip by Italian prop Lovotti on Halfpenny. Biggar will kick again and go for number three.

Italy have looked bright in possession, but they are being picked off in defence every time Wales get the ball.

9 min: A solid scrum by Italy - but then they make a bit of a mess of it at the base. Allan has a chance to clear downfield from the in-goal area. McNicholl gets his hands on the ball, and kicks over the defensive Italian cover on the right wing for Wales and Williams picks up the kick ... but Italy manage to reset their defence. The crowd are warming up though as Wales enjoy some early joy in trying to run the ball.

McNicholl got a boot in the face from his captain Alun Wyn Jones during that move ...

8 min: A fast Wales counterattack sees Williams touching down for the hosts, but there was a clear knock-on by Halfpenny, and it won’t count. Good signs early from both teams, though, who are showing a willingness to run the ball from anywhere and everywhere. Italy will have the first scrum after that knock-on, inside their own 22.

6 min: Wales under pressure early. A lovely one-handed off-load by Canna to Mattia Bellini sends the winger storming down the left wing and Leigh Halfpenny makes a good tackle to bring him down.

5 min: Italy full-back Matteo Minozzi makes a burst in midfield, but loses his footing and slips into Alun Wyn Jones. Italy recycle it though and Canna does well to make a break down the Wales right. Italy have used the ball impressively early on ...

3 min: Wales had a penalty advantage for a high tackle, but it ended as they moved through several attacking phases. Now there is another penalty, just outside the Italy 22, for hands on the floor from Italy. Dan Biggar will kick for goal.

2 min: Italy tidy up Wales’s kick-off rather well, and then send their own kick down the middle of the pitch. There is an early touch for McNicholl in midfield, for Wales, who move through a few phases near the halfway line and break up towards the 22 with a nice break by scrum-half Tomos Williams ...

Italy passionately belt out their anthem, which is the least you’d expect, to be honest.

Now it’s Wales’s turn, and the consistently-stirring Land of My Fathers rings around the Principality Stadium ...

The players are running out, and the pitchside pyrotechnics are firing. Kick-off is five minutes away!

Cheika: “I don’t know Wayne very well ... but I think putting North at centre is about who he wants in the back three. It shows a bit of a trademark about what he [Pivac] is about, having players that complement each other.

“I think it will be evolution, not revolution, and Stephen Jones will be important as attack coach.”

“I love playing with him, I hate playing against him.”

Davies sums up his thoughts on Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, there.

Faf De Klerk adds: “He’s a massive player for them. I just try and wind those players up, they can’t really do anything.”

De Klerk tries to wind people up? I’m astonished! He’s a niggly little so-and-so, isn’t he?

Thanks to Hugo Verne for the email. He writes: “Wales look so very strong. Does Cheika really think Italy could win?”

I reckon Cheika’s fiver would be on Wales today, but perhaps he thinks they have a home win in them during this campaign? Italy have Scotland and England at home during this tournament.

Jonathan Davies was just speaking about how under Warren Gatland, Wales liked to keep the ball in play when they kicked, and ‘trust their kick chase’. Will Pivac ask the same of his players today?

Pivac now speaks to the BBC: “They boys have trained well, and got through a lot of work. We are ready to go and looking forward to it. We’re trying to evolve, we want to evolve our attack, and have a few more weapons there. Certainly, we’re going to have to earn the right to do that.”

Earning the right to go wide - I just knew someone would pull that line out of the hat before kick-off. Textbook stuff.

A little more preview reading about this opening weekend - Gerard Meagher on Eddie Jones’s promise to bring ‘absolute brutality’ to Paris:

The interim Italy coach Franco Smith speaks: “We’re not going to look at past results, we’re looking forward. New ideas, different ways of approaching the game. Hopefully we can develop a bit of “DNA” that the Italians can support.”

South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winner Faf de Klerk is in the stadium, and on pundit duty with the BBC.

He is alongside recently-departed Australia coach Michael Cheika, injured Wales centre Jonathan Davies, and ex-Italy player Michele Campagnaro.

Cheika is upbeat on Italy’s chances: “They play some very good football ... I really feel sometimes they get a bit unlucky. They’ve earned their spot, and I’m sure there’s a win coming for them.”

Looking back to the Rugby World Cup, Wales pushed South Africa all the way in their semi-final, before the Boks comprehensively dismantled England in the final a week later. It follows that Wales are a stronger team than England ... right?

By the way, Ireland play Scotland later - 4.45pm kick-off - and England meet France in Paris at 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

Here is Michael Aylwin on Ireland’s assignment against Scotland later:

Fly-half Dan Biggar speaks to Eddie Butler on the BBC: “It’s new calls, a new structure and we need to learn quick [under the new coaching regime] ... but they will be keen to keep on with what we’ve been good at in the past few years ... it’s going to be very strange for me [without Gatland and team], and everyone else in the squad, and it will be interesting to see how we gel. It’s exciting times for Welsh rugby.”

“Pivac, who showed with the Scarlets that risk-taking and success are not incompatible, wants the emphasis to be on attack.”

Paul Rees again:

Who is your favourite for this Six Nations? Who are you looking forward to seeing in action today?

Will the Saracens salary cap scandal derail England’s hopes? How will Andy Farrell fare with Ireland? You can get in touch with me on email or on Twitter ...

Kick-off is at 2.15pm. Here’s some reading to whet your appetite - Paul Rees has spoken to Wales back-rower Aaron Wainwright before this one:

And here is Paul Rees again, on McNicholl’s selection by Pivac, plus all the other team analysis: