North hat-trick gives Welsh hope of Six Nations glory
Wales went from 14-13 ahead at half-time to secure a record 61-20 Six Nations win in Rome - and Northampton Saints ace North proved their attacking destroyer.
The Northampton wing powered over for a treble, while his fellow wing Liam Williams also touched down, as did scrum-half Rhys Webb, centre Jamie Roberts, skipper Sam Warburton and replacement Scott Williams.
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Hide AdFull-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked two penalties before going off injured, but fly-half Dan Biggar proved a capable deputy, slotting a penalty and six conversions as Wales scored 47 second-half points.
Italy scored an early Giovambattista Venditti try and a late Leonardo Sarto touchdown, with Kelly Haimona kicking a penalty and substitute Luciano Orquera adding a penalty and two conversions, but the Azzurri were ultimately horribly outclassed.
Wales took over the Six Nations leadership, and threw down a huge challenge to title rivals England and Ireland as they also raced clear in terms of points difference, raising hopes of securing a third Six Nations title in four years.
Wales now have a 20-point advantage over Ireland and 16 over England, who both play later. It leaves the winner of the Six Nations still up in the air.