Preview: Italy v Wales

Wales coach Warren Gatland has called for focus as they travel to Rome in search of a huge victory margin over Italy that could still see them crowned Six Nations champions.

A 23-16 win over defending champions Ireland in Cardiff last time out, which came hot on the heels of a 20-13 win over the French in Paris, has seen Warren Gatland's men battle their way back into title contention.

Ahead of this decisive matches Wales sit third on the table - tied on points with leaders England and second-placed Ireland - who host France and travel to Scotland respectively.

For Wales to claim their fifth Six Nations title, they must beat Italy and hope England and Ireland fail to win their respective fixtures.

If England, Ireland and Wales win their respective matches, the trophy will be handed to the team with the largest points difference. Wales currently trail England and Ireland by 25 and 21 points respectively.

A storming Welsh performance could be on the cards, but both Gatland and assistant coach Rob Howley have underlined the need for focus.

"Our challenge is to go to Italy and win by a significant margin but we know that's an extremely tough ask but the first job will be to simply get the result.

"Italy build their confidence around the scrum and line-out drive and those are areas we have to strongly compete in at the start of the match," Gatland said.

"We can't throw the ball about early on. It's not a Sevens game, it's an international Test match. We have to respect Italy because it's going to be a tough game," Howley added.

Wales, who won the second of two consecutive titles two years ago, will be favoured to hand Italy their fourth defeat of the campaign.

But will have do so without injured props Gethin Jenkins (hamstring) and Samson Lee (Achilles), who have been replaced by Rob Evans and Aaron Jarvis.

If Italy's detractors needed further evidence of their lack of bite, last week's dismal performance against a remarkably under-par France side was more than sufficient.

To add to Azzurri woes ahead of Saturday, influential captain Sergio Parisse is among several players ruled out through injury.

Parisse hobbled off with an ankle sprain last week, joining Tommaso Allan (hamstring) and prop Matias Aguero (ribs) on the treatment table, with Fijian-born Samuela Vunisa moving into the No. 8 position.

"Parisse has made a lot of progress since Sunday, he's walking normally but to have picked him would have put his recovery at risk," Italy team manager Luigi Troiani stated.

After being dropped last week in favour of Allan, flyhalf Kelly Haimona returns to rekindle his partnership with Edoardo Gori.

Italy have also made two changes to the front row, with Martin Castrogiovanni returning at tighthead prop in place of Aguero and loosehead Michele Rizzo coming in for Dario Chistolini, who drops back to the replacements bench.

Parisse's absence and Vunisa's switch to No.8 means a rare start for 101-capped veteran Mauro Bergamasco, who comes in at openside flank.

The changes could affect Italian confidence but while Brunel expects a tough encounter, the Frenchman is hoping for the kind of stirring performance which helped seal a 22-19 win away to Scotland three weeks ago.

"I expect a difficult game on Saturday, but I also expect us to show what this team is capable of in relation to our performance at the [Stadio] Olimpico last week.

"Wales will play as they have done for the past five or six years. They'll try to impose their own rhythm, intensity and power on the match. They're confident in their own game.

"We have to be ready for a side that can put you under pressure, both when running with the ball and kicking," Brunel said.

Players to watch:

For Italy: Leonardo Ghiraldini will be extra motivated after being handed the captaincy and will want to improve on his poor display against France. Flyhalf Kelly Haimona will want to repay the faith showed in him and put in a big performance but that will depend on the quality of the service he will receive from Edoardo Gori.

For Wales: Leigh Halfpenny will take any chance handed to him. The explosive power of the dynamic centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies will set the game alight if given the chance and captain Sam Warburton is always a handful at the breakdown.

Head to head: The key to the Italians keeping Wales at bay will be how Luca Morisi and Andrea Masi handle the constant barrage of attacks from Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts. Giovambattista Venditti will have his hands full with the skill and finishing prowess of George North. However, all eyes will be on the battle between Samuela Vunisa - who has big shoes to fill with the injury to Sergio Parisse - and the powerful Taulupe Faletau.

Recent results:

2014: Wales won 23-15, Cardiff

2013: Wales won 26-9, Rome

2012: Wales won 24-3, Cardiff

2011: Wales won 24-16, Rome

2010: Wales won 33-10, Cardiff

2009: Wales won 20-15, Rome

2008: Wales won 47-8, Cardiff

2007: Italy won 23-20, Rome

2006: Italy and Wales drew 18-all, Cardiff

2005: Wales won 38-8, Rome

Prediction: Italy have only managed a solitary victory over the Welsh in the past 10 years, a narrow three-point victory back in 2007 in Rome. With an outside chance of claiming the Six Nations title, Wales will go all out to increase their points difference to give themselves the best possible chance. There is no doubt Wales will win this one by at least 20 points.

Teams:

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), 1 Michele Rizzo.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Robert Barbieri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Enrico Bacchin.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.

 

Date: Saturday, March 21

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Kick-off: 13.30 (12.30 GMT; 12.30 UK time)

Expected weather: Cloudy, high of 15

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Luke Pearce (England)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

AFP and Rugby365