Wales will go for a third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight seasons against France next weekend after beating Italy 24-3 in Cardiff Saturday. Wales didn't look like a side on the cusp of such an achievement as Italy's stubborn defense kept the visitors within six points until 10 minutes into the second half. But the home side's class showed as Jamie Roberts scored a smart solo try from a turnover and Alex Cuthbert made the score one-sided with a touchdown in the corner late on. Wales' fifth straight win over Italy narrowed the title to a three-horse race between the Welsh, France and England — knocking Ireland out of contention despite a 32-14 win over Scotland. There will be only two teams in contention after France hosts England Sunday. Super 15 In New Zealand, All Blacks flyhalf Colin Slade continued his comeback from the injury that ended his World Cup campaign, kicking the second half penalty that clinched an 18-17 win for the Otago Highlanders over the New South Wales Waratahs in Super 15 rugby Saturday. Slade suffered a serious groin injury to become one of three flyhalves ruled out during New Zealand's eventually successful World Cup campaign last October. He missed his first attempt at goal Saturday and was astray with two of his first three, but landed a conversion and a 66th-minute penalty in a second half in which the lead changed hands three times to clinch the Highlanders' third-straight win. In Australia, Christian Lealiifano's fourth penalty of the match after the siren sounded gave the ACT Brumbies a 24-23 win over South Africa's Cheetahs. In Brisbane, second-year winger Dom Shipperley scored the only try of the match as the defending Super 15 champion Queensland Reds beat the Melbourne Rebels 11-6. It was the Reds' third win in three matches while the Rebels, who finished in last place in the Australian conference last year, have lost both their matches this season.
