Head Coach Rowland Phillips was full of praise for the "guts and determination" of his young Wales Women side in the wake of their battling 3-3 draw against Italy in Lecce.
Had an outstanding try by Jasmine Joyce late in the second half not been ruled out for a forward pass the Welsh side would have won the game.
Instead they had to be content with going home with two points after holding a home side that had posted a big win in Scotland in round one.
The Dragons Women quartet of Alicia McComish, Caryl Thomas, Bethan Lewis and Cerys Hale all featured.
"There is a lot of disappointment that we didn't win, but as far as guts, determination and discipline are concerned, I thought they were outstanding," said Phillips of his team.
"Both teams will feel disappointed they didn't win it in the end. We had our chances to win and it was a shame that outstanding try from Jasmine was ruled out for a forward pass.
"To show the character we did in the last five or 10 minutes to keep them out was unbelievable and the real positive was how we defended our try line. We kept them out under massive pressure, and they are a big side."
It was a magnificent response from Carys Phillips' side in the wake of their record defeat in France the previous weekend, when they conceded nine tries, and now they can look forward to a calmer run-in to their next assignment, against England at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, 24 February.
To show the character we did in the last five or 10 minutes to keep them out was unbelievable and the real positive was how we defended our try line. We kept them out under massive pressure, and they are a big side...
