Six Nations: Stephen Ferris previews Italy v Wales
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The Six Nations returns this weekend and former Ireland international Stephen Ferris casts his eye over the clash between Italy and Wales, whose head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes for the game in Rome.
After another rest week for many of the players, it’s now back to business in the Six Nations Championship. It feels like this round is the equivalent to a Saturday ‘moving’ day in a golf tournament.
An Ireland win in Scotland would tee them up beautifully. An Italian win in Rome against a confidence-hit Wales team could decide the wooden spoon. And England hosting France will give us all an indication if the Steve Borthwick era is something to look forward to or not!
Italy v Wales (Saturday, 14.15, ITV)
Rewind the clock exactly 12 months ago. Ange Capuozzo set off on a counter-attack against Wales in the dying seconds. He stepped and accelerated past a tiring Welsh defence and created the try-scoring opportunity that Padovani accepted. History was made. Italy had won in Cardiff.
A year on and it seems that Italy have made significant progress. They have a positive team environment and the nation is rallying behind them every time they take to the pitch. Throw in a very enjoyable style of play which is catching the attention of many, and it really feels that they can give anyone in world rugby a competitive game.
Ital needs to maintain the high standard they have set themselves and if they do that, surely they will add to the misery of this uninspired Welsh team.
🎙 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨
Warren Gatland on the team for the Italy clash👇 #WelshRugby | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/XMwImwAgxC
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 9, 2023
The last time Wales lost in Rome was in 2007, and Warren Gatland has never lost to Italy. However, this feels different. The Italians have recorded the highest average possession per game of any side in the competition.
They have scored more than 20 points in their last three home games and with a lineout functioning at 94%, they will create numerous opportunities. Gatland has to come up with a master plan that halts the Italian momentum. Let’s see if one of the most successful coaches of all time is capable of doing so.
The Welsh Rugby Union are under massive financial strain. The four regions all got beaten at the weekend in the URC, and there is talk that the Ospreys are going to vanish at the end of the season.
They are a team void of confidence with some of their big-game players either out of form or injured. Yet, somehow, they are one-point favourites. This is a game the Italians would have targeted. They will be fully locked and loaded and I fancy them to win back to back games against Wales and rewrite the history books once again.
Prediction:
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
