Wales 23 Italy 19
Wales are sweating on fitness updates about Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny, who suffered injuries in their World Cup warm-up win over Italy.
Ospreys' Webb, who scored five tries in nine Tests for Wales last season and is their undisputed top scrum-half, suffered a seemingly serious ankle injury when he became trapped in a ruck after 26 minutes as Wales edged home 23-19.
And full-back Halfpenny also departed on a medical cart after stumbling in open play 10 minutes from time. He required oxygen while being treated.
If Webb is ruled out of the tournament - Wales' opening game is against Uruguay in 15 days' time - then it could mean 94 times-capped Mike Phillips being recalled after he was cut from the training group by head coach Warren Gatland last month.
But Gatland can now only play an anxious waiting game with Webb and Halfpenny, hoping his well-laid World Cup plans for a group that also includes England and Australia do not begin to unravel.
Wales prevailed through five Halfpenny penalties - he passed 500 points for Wales in the process - a late Dan Biggar penalty and an early George North try, while Italy claimed a third-minute Leonardo Sarto touchdown before Tommaso Allan booted two penalties, Carlo Canna dropped a goal and Guglielmo Palazzani scored a try with the game's final play.
Gatland made five changes from the side that defeated reigning RBS 6 Nations champions Ireland in Dublin last weekend, which included a return to action for skipper Sam Warburton after he rested a shoulder knock seven days ago.
Italy arrived at the Millennium Stadium on the back of a 48-7 drubbing by Scotland last time out, and memories were fresh of them shipping 61 points against Wales during the final day of last season's Six Nations in March.
Wales, wearing a change kit that was officially billed as "anthracite" in colour, were left red-faced by a breakaway Italy score after just three minutes.
The visitors made it an uncomfortable afternoon for their hosts from there on in, though Wales eventually edged to victory.
