Rugby

Losing streak, Italy’s expectation and the Faletau factor – Wales talking points

Wales are desperate to end a record run of 13 successive Test defeats.

Wales and Italy will go head-to-head in Rome
Wales and Italy will go head-to-head in Rome (David Davies/PA)
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent

Wales face a crunch Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Defeat for Warren Gatland’s team would mean a 14th Test match loss in a row and leave them firmly on course for a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some key talking points ahead of the game.

Dan Biggar’s assessment is spot-on

Dan Biggar has no doubt about the importance of Wales’ clash against Italy
Dan Biggar has no doubt about the importance of Wales’ clash against Italy (David Davies/PA)

Former Wales fly-half and captain Biggar has described the Rome encounter as Wales’ biggest game for the last “15-20 years”.

While Wales have won Six Nations titles, Grand Slams and reached World Cup semi-finals during that time, events that will unfold at Stadio Olimpico appear an altogether different picture.

Win, and Wales avoid extending their record run of defeats, while also potentially staving off a last-place finish.

Lose, then everything unravels, with Gatland and his coaching staff under the most intense pressure. Changes would seem inevitable.

Wales must shut out the noise

Wales have not lost to Italy in Rome since 2007, yet their current dismal form has left most bookmakers installing the Azzurri as firm favourites.

Wales are up against the ropes, but they have somehow got to overcome that, blank out extensive external criticism and deliver a match-winning performance.

Easier said than done, of course, for players whose confidence and self-belief in the national jersey could easily have taken a battering, but they simply have to dredge something from somewhere.

Captain Morgan the real deal

Jac Morgan produced an impressive individual display against France
Jac Morgan produced an impressive individual display against France (David Davies/PA)

If Wales need inspiration for the task ahead, then they should look no further than flanker Jac Morgan.

Amid the wreckage of a 43-0 Six Nations defeat against opening opponents France, the Wales skipper proved indestructible.

Across both teams, he topped the charts for most metres carried, most post-tackle metres made and most metres carried in attack. He also executed 27 tackles – a figure bettered only by his colleague Dafydd Jenkins.

If Wales, as a collective, get close to those levels then victory is highly likely.

Can Italy handle expectation?

It is extremely rare for regular Six Nations strugglers Italy to enter a game in the tournament that they are widely expected to win.

Successive Six Nations victories over Wales in Cardiff have helped underpin that status, yet just four wins from 25 previous meetings in the competition prove how tough an assignment they have generally found it.

Wales must put those doubts in Italian minds from kick-off and question if they can handle that tag of being favourites.

Faletau factor huge for Wales

Taulupe Faletau returns for Wales against Italy after a long injury absence
Taulupe Faletau returns for Wales against Italy after a long injury absence (David Davies/PA)

Wales’ world-class number eight Taulupe Faletau has not played Test rugby for 16 months.

A broken arm suffered during Wales’ last Test win against 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia was followed by him fracturing his shoulder in a comeback game for Cardiff.

With 104 caps and three British and Irish Lions tours on his CV, the 34-year-old is a model of consistency whose return to the international arena is so timely for Wales, given their current plight and a desperate need to start winning again.