Six Nations Wales v Italy preview – all the pieces you should know

Six Nations Wales v Italy preview

Tremendous Saturday, the day when all three Guinness Six Nations fixtures are performed one after one other, is likely one of the highlights of the sporting 12 months, not to mention simply the rugby calendar.

However a 12 months after Wales went for a Grand Slam in Paris within the ultimate match, there’s an inevitable sense of anticlimax because the defending champions kick off Tremendous Saturday in opposition to Italy with little at stake (2.15pm). Their purpose can be to put up a bonus-point win to climb to 3rd after which sit again to see if Scotland and/or England can dislodge them.

It’s been a disappointing championship for Wales and but they gave France, the probably champions, their most tough match. Alun Wyn Jones comes again into the combination for this finale, his a hundred and fiftieth Wales cap approaching the identical day that Dan Biggar wins his a centesimal. Are you able to see a crew with these two in it dropping to Italy? Precisely. It’s simply not going to occur.

Italy will yearn for one thing to cling to. They had been superb at occasions in opposition to Scotland however nonetheless completed empty-handed. They’re conceding 40 factors a sport on this championship in comparison with 48 final 12 months, so there’s progress. They want a strive or two as nicely – their 2022 haul of 4 is their joint fewest aside from 2004 and 2009, once they scored simply two.

They’re unleashing younger expertise – Ange Capuozzo will get his first begin right here – however eternally taking part in catch-up. Michele Lamaro, the 23-year-old son of an Olympic sailor, has been immense. The match’s main tackler can have ample alternative so as to add to his tally on the Principality Stadium. Count on a good-looking Welsh win to launch Tremendous Saturday earlier than the actual enterprise – the vacation spot of the title – is determined in Dublin and Paris.

Michele Lamaro tackles Stuart Hogg throughout Italy’s 33-22 defeat by Scotland in Rome (Federugby/Getty)

What’s the large crew information?

Similar to final 12 months, Wales introduced their squad two days sooner than required and two of their greats seize the headlines. Lock Alun Wyn Jones returns from harm – sometimes forward of schedule – for his a hundred and fiftieth Wales cap. And fly-half Biggar, who took the captain’s armband off Jones and retains it, turns into the seventh Welshman to notch 100 caps for his nation.

Jones, 36, hasn’t performed since struggling a shoulder harm in opposition to New Zealand on the finish of October. He was anticipated to overlook the entire championship however, as he confirmed final 12 months with the Lions, he appears to have superpowers in terms of restoration. Some really feel that Will Rowlands has been a bit of laborious finished by dropping his place.

There are adjustments aplenty. Dewi Lake, making his first begin at hooker, and tighthead Dillon Lewis come into the beginning XV for Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis respectively.

Gareth Davies, a alternative in Dublin in spherical one, will get a run at scrum-half forward of Kieran Hardy, who took a knock throughout his 70 minutes in opposition to France final week. The Scarlet had changed Tomos Williams following the latter’s early head knock.

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Uilisi Halaholo is chosen for the primary time this 12 months, changing Jonathan Davies. Nick Tompkins, considered one of Wales’ greatest gamers within the championship, is on the bench following his latest concussion taking part in for Saracens.

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Liam Williams offers strategy to Johnny McNicholl at full-back, who returns to the line-up after an look on the wing in opposition to Eire in spherical one. Louis Rees-Zammit additionally begins following an unaccustomed alternative function final week.

Seb Davies, 6ft 6in and practically 19st, will get the chance to probability to go once more within the again row alongside Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau. It was a unit that excelled in opposition to the French with out incomes the end result they deserved. Navidi was named Man of the Match within the corresponding fixture final 12 months, making 18 tackles and 7 carries.

On the bench, Bradley Roberts is in line for his Six Nations debut. There may be loads of expertise elsewhere in a five-three cut up.

Taulupe Faletau and Seb Davies shadow France’s Antoine Dupont – a sport Wales deserved to win (Getty)

Italy give a primary begin to Capuozzo at full-back after the teenager’s two-try cameo off the bench in opposition to Scotland. Edoardo Padavani shifts to right-wing rather than Pierre Bruno, whose tremendous offload final weekend helped create Italy’s first strive.

The 14 shirt has been one thing of a curse this 12 months for Italy, with Padovani the fourth completely different participant to put on it in 5 matches.

The one different change to the beginning XV sees Newcastle’s Marco Fuser are available in at second-row for Niccolò Cannone.

There’s a 6-2 cut up among the many replacements with Cherif Traorè returning. The loosehead prop, who featured in opposition to England, missed final 12 months’s conflict with Wales due to a damaged arm. Again-row Braam Steyn will win his fiftieth cap if summoned from off the bench.

What have the 2 coaches stated?

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac: “We’ve made a couple of adjustments this week. With one sport to go there are some gamers we have to see on the market.

“We’ve chosen a aspect which we predict can get the job finished. Clearly that’s what we’re right here for. There’s a possibility to maneuver up that desk, so we predict that is an thrilling crew and one we’re trying ahead to seeing on the market.

“Italy are enhancing, they’ve had some dangerous luck right here and there and with a brand new coach transitioning we all know it takes a little bit of time. However we all know they’ve acquired some superb rugby gamers and as you noticed in opposition to Scotland they troubled them in that second half and for lengthy durations of the primary. So we’re going to need to be on our sport.

“We had an excellent end result in opposition to Scotland, gave the followers one thing to cheer about and got here very shut in opposition to an in-form France. We’re clearly upset we couldn’t get throughout the road for our followers there. We hope we will try this this weekend and end on a excessive.”

On Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones: “Dan and Al are big gamers for Wales and have been for a few years now. Al has been with us a couple of weeks and he’s educated very nicely, ticked all of the packing containers. To be taking part in 150 Take a look at matches, one thing nobody else on the planet has ever finished, exhibits he’s a particular individual.

“We’ve stated with different gamers reaching 100 appearances what an achievement that’s and for Dan I do know he’s been trying ahead to this second for a very long time. For him to attain it with Al, it’s becoming for these two to share the day. They’ve performed a number of rugby collectively and have a wholesome respect for one another. They’ve given a lot for the sport in Wales.”

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley: “We’re taking part in in probably the most iconic stadiums on the planet. Wales has regained some necessary gamers and they’ll wish to react.

“We wish to finish the match in the absolute best approach, backing up the rugby we performed in a number of elements of the match in opposition to Scotland.”

Any attention-grabbing statistics?

• Italy are hoping to finish a 36-match dropping run within the championship – the worst sequence in championship historical past. There have been two World Cups performed since their final Six Nations victory, in opposition to Scotland in February 2015
• Their captain Michele Lamaro has made 69 tackles – probably the most on this 12 months’s match. His tally is nineteen larger than the next-best on the listing, compatriot Niccolò Cannone and France’s Anthony Jelonch
• Italy wing Monty Ioane has made seven offloads – greater than another participant this 12 months. He has additionally carried for 324 metres – the fourth-highest determine
• Italy’s Federico Ruzza tops the championship’s particular person lineout stats, with 24 wins
• Italy have managed two wins and a draw in opposition to Wales of their 22 championship conferences, however the latest of these successes was 15 years in the past
• The Azzurri failed to attain on their final go to to Cardiff, dropping 42-0 as Josh Adams scored a hat-trick. Watch highlights of that sport right here

What time does it kick off and is it on TV?

Wales v Italy, Saturday 19 March at Principality Stadium

The match kicks off at 2.15pm in Cardiff and can be broadcast stay on BBC and S4C. There can be radio commentary on BBC Sports activities Additional simulcast.

Andrew Brace, Cardiff-born however representing the Irish union, is the match referee. Matt Carley, who took cost of the Wales-France sport final week, is assistant referee together with France’s Tual Trainini. Pleasure Neville (IRFU) is the TMO.

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