Wales face winless Italy in Cardiff hoping to escape fifth place
THE bottom two Six Nations sides face off on Saturday afternoon in the opening match of the competition’s final round.
Unlike previous years where more has been on the line for Wales heading into their final fixture, Saturday’s game represents something of an anti-climax.
Wales will look to grab a bonus-point win to reach third in the table and then hope that Scotland and England fail to overtake them.
The Welsh have won just one of their four matches up to now, with the solitary victory coming against Scotland courtesy of a 20-17 score line.
Italy’s form has been even worse with a run of four consecutive defeats, despite a spirited performance versus Scotland in their previous match.
(Photo: Edward Burnett)
Team News
Alun Wyn Jones returns from injury to earn his 150th cap for Wales, while captain Dan Biggar will claim his 100th cap. Dewi Lake, makes his first start as hooker. Tighthead Dillon Lewis also is in the line-up. Both players come in for Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis respectively.
Italy have handed a first start to full-back Ange Capuozzo, following the youngster’s two-try cameo off the bench in the Azzurri’s previous game. Edoardo Padavani will play at right-wing instead of Pierre Bruno.
Wales: 15-McNicholl, 14-Rees-Zammit, 13- Watkin, 12-Halaholo, 11-Adams, 10-Biggar (captain), 9-G Davies; 1-G Thomas, 2-Lake, 3-Lewis, 4-Beard, 5-A W Jones, 6-S Davies, 7-Navidi, 8-Faletau
Replacements: 16-Roberts, 17-W Jones, 18-Brown, 19-Rowlands, 20-Moriarty, 21-Hardy, 22-Sheedy, 23-Tompkins
Italy: 15-Capuozzo, 14-Padovani, 13-Brex, 12-Marin, 11-Ioane, 10-Garbisi, 9-Braley; 1-Fischetti, 2-Nicotera, 3-Ceccarelli, 4-Fuser, 5-Ruzza, 6-Pettinelli, 7-Lamaro (captain), 8-Halafihi
Replacements: 16-Bigi, 17-Traore, 18-Pasquali, 19-Sisi, 20-Cannone, 21-Steyn, 22-Fusco, 23-Zanon
(Photo: PA Images)
Coaches’ Thoughts
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’ve made a few changes this week. With one game to go there are some players we need to see out there.
“We’ve selected a side which we think can get the job done. Clearly that’s what we’re here for. There’s an opportunity to move up that table, so we think this is an exciting team and one we’re looking forward to seeing out there.
“Italy are improving, they’ve had some bad luck here and there and with a new coach transitioning we know it takes a bit of time. But we know they’ve got some very good rugby players and as you saw against Scotland, they troubled them in that second half and for long periods of the first. So we’re going to have to be on our game.
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley said: “We are playing in one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Wales has regained some important players and they will want to react.
“We want to end the tournament in the best possible way, backing up the rugby we played in several parts of the match against Scotland.”
(Photo: Edward Burnett)
Fan Prediction
Wales fan John Williams, 53, said: “I think the score will be 34-12 to Wales. I don’t think Italy will be pushovers as Wales will come into it strong probably in the last 20 minutes of the match.
“Wales’ fitness superiority will get the better of Italy, but I think the first half will be very close.
“I can see France beating England and I can see Ireland beating Scotland in Dublin, so we could potentially get third in the table.”
Fellow Wales supporter Michael Pleace, 72, said: “I think Wales should win comfortably seeing as the opposition are pretty weak.
“Against that type of opponent, any player could score. I would like to see quite a few different players score and spread the points about.
“It’s amazing to reach 150 games. It just goes to show what a tremendous player Alun Wyn Jones is!”
Kick-off Time
The game will start at 2.15pm in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and will be broadcast live on both BBC and S4C.
