The Albany Gazette - Wales seek end to Six Nations woe against resurgent Italy

Italy were the last team to lose to Wales in the Six Nations, on March 11, 2023 and come Saturday's kick-off in Cardiff it will be 1,099 days since that result.

The Azzurri will arrive at the Millennium Stadium buoyed by their inaugural win in 33 matches against England.

Italy displayed resilience as well as skill to overturn an eight-point deficit heading into the final quarter before triumphing 23-18 in Rome last weekend.

They are on the cusp of winning three games in a Six Nations for the first time, having started the tournament with an 18-15 victory at home to Scotland.

They might not have things all their own way against Wales.

The Welsh were routed 48-7 by England and 54-12 by France in the opening two rounds but then led Scotland until late on before losing 26-23 and were within a score of Ireland until four minutes from time before going down 27-17 last weekend.

Welsh rugby, beset by bitter off-field wrangling over plans to cut one of the nation's four professional men's teams, is desperate for some good news.

But Wales coach Steve Tandy, asked after naming an unchanged starting side on Thursday if the performance or result was more important against an in-form Italy, replied: "I think performance. If we get the performance, the result will follow."

- Carre's 'high ceiling' -

The form of Saracens loosehead prop Rhys Carre has been a rare bright spot for Wales in a gruelling campaign, with former Cardiff and Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins telling the BBC: "He's huge, he's tall, he's fast. He's one of the strongest players I've ever seen."

Carre was discarded on fitness grounds by two former Wales coaches, Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland.

But in Dublin the 28-year-old scored a sensational 30-metre try, his third in as many Six Nations games. Remarkably for a front-row forward, he had too much speed for Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune.

"It's testament to Rhys and the beauty for a lot of our team is the ceiling's higher. We've just got to keep pushing and be better," said Tandy.

That is exactly what Italy have done this Six Nations under coach Gonzalo Quesada, who took charge two years ago.

Their results are also a tribute to the development policy established by former boss Conor O'Shea, the ex-Ireland full-back who is now the performance director of England's Rugby Football Union.

For all Italy boast a formidable pack, as well as the attacking talents of midfield duo Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, former Argentina fly-half Quesada has warned Italy to be mentally ready for "the toughest game of the whole Six Nations".

He added: "We know that Wales must win this game, they must win it, they did an amazing performance against Ireland, they did an amazing performance against Scotland.

"Our players I think, are really aware of how tough this will be, so no one is talking about one win, two wins, three wins, it's about let's make sure that we're ready because what is coming in Wales is big."

(S.Perez--TAG)