Wales v Italy: Five talking points ahead of Six Nations clash
By Julian Crabtree
Last Updated: 19/03/16 3:06pm
Wales will be hoping to make amends for their loss to England against Italy in Saturday's Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The 25-21 defeat at Twickenham ended Wales' chances of winning the Six Nations title, but they will be looking to end their campaign in style against the Azzurri. We look at five areas ahead of Saturday's clash...
Backlash
Both Warren Gatland and Rob Howley claimed they were at a loss to explain the slow and lacklustre start Wales made against England. Wales finally woke up in the final quarter to run England close but that will be scant consolation to a team who seem to have ground to a halt in terms of development and ideas.
Wales will finish second in the standings if they beat Italy - one better than they went last year but it will be their style of play as well as the result that will come under scrutiny.
"The main thing is about getting back to what we're good at; winning collisions, line-speed, intensity and our all-round edge," fly-half Dan Biggar told Wales Online.
"All we're thinking about is a backlash on Saturday, we need to front-up and perform."
Wales will hope to exploit Italy who will need to tighten up their defence - they leaked nine tries against Ireland and Wales are capable of running them in from anywhere.
Leader Lydiate
Dan Lydiate will lead Wales out on Saturday in the absence of the injured Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones.
Lydiate's defensive work is highly rated but his decision making will need to be just as sharp on Saturday if Wales want to show just how well they can play.
The Ospreys flanker missed Wales' final training session but Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said he is not a doubt for Saturday's clash.
"Dan has a little irritation in his ankle, so we left him back at the hotel for the captain's run," McBryde said.
"It's just precautionary and nothing major. He should be fit. We have to get over last week and we're glad to have this game because we have an opportunity to put things right.
"We have the chance to finish second, which we haven't done for 36 years, so there is still a lot on the game in terms of our personal pride."
Changes for Wales
Warren Gatland has surprisingly made only four changes from the team that lost to England as Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb and Hallam Amos all come into the starting XV. On the bench, Gethin Jenkins returns along with Jake Ball and Ross Moriarty.
Webb made his long awaited return to international rugby off the bench against England and looked sharp despite the loss.
"Rhys Webb is a class operator," said Shaun Edwards.
"For him to come back after a long-term injury like he has is due credit to him and the people who have been working with him here and with the Ospreys."
Dan Biggar starts at No 10 despite taking a real battering this campaign and many thought Rhys Priestland would have been given a chance to start after some impressive cameos off the bench. Another player who is unlucky not to start is hooker Ken Owens who has also made an impact off the bench.
Italy have plenty of injuries with centre Michele Campagnaro the latest to be ruled out with a medial knee ligament injury. Tommaso Allan does make his first start of the year at fly-half and will want to put in a solid performance to nail down that No 10 jersey.
Parisse swansong?
Year after year Sergio Parisse has been immense for Italy as he has continued to make his mark on a game despite being, more often than not, on the losing side.
Midi Olympique have reported that Conor O'Shea - the man who will reportedly be taking over the coaching duties from Jacques Brunel after the Six Nations - has sat down with Parisse and convinced him to put his thoughts of retiring from international rugby on hold.
At 32, there is no sign of Parisse slowing down and Wales will need to monitor him very closely. Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau is in some fine form of his own and his battle against Parisse will be intriguing.
Italy under fire
Do Italy deserve their place in the Six Nations? Yes, according to Parisse but the rumblings from the European Nations Cup continue to grow.
Georgia were great value during the World Cup winning two of their games to finish third behind New Zealand and Argentina in Pool C. Romania pushed Italy all the way in their World Cup Pool D clash and will face Georgia in the European Nations Cup decider on Saturday.
The prospect of the Six Nations being opened up to the likes of Georgia and Romania are remote but if Italy are thrashed by Wales, it would certainly give the argument more weight.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb (Ospreys); 1 Rob Evans, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Luke Charteris, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.
Italy: 15 David Odiete, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Andrea Pratichetti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Davide Giazzon, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 5 Valerio Bernabo, 6 Francesco Minto, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Jacopo Sarto, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Alberto Lucchese, 22 Kelly Haimona, 23 Luke McLean.