Wales will be desperate to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon in the final weekend of Six Nations action as they take on an Italy side who scraped past Scotland last week.
- Wales vs Italy
- 2.45pm, Saturday, March 16th
- Principality Stadium, Cardiff
A week ago it looked almost certain that this game would represent a battle for the wooden spoon, but Italy’s win over Scotland has piled the pressure on Wales.
It means there is still plenty to play for going into this last round, with Wales desperate to avoid their first wooden spoon in 21 years and hopeful of giving George North a send-off after the back announced his decision to retire after the tournament, bringing an end to what will be a 121-cap career.
Italy showed no shortage of backbone or skill in their 31-29 win over Scotland in Rome last week, but they still have it all to do if they wish to avoid finishing last in this year’s Six Nations, although they are safe in the knowledge that they cannot pick up another wooden spoon.
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Wales vs Italy Betting Tips
Here is our selection for Sunday’s big game at the Principality Stadium.
Dyer to score and Wales win
Wales should be backing themselves to win this, and if they do they will want to exploit the outside channels and drag the Italy defence around before tiring them out.
Rio Dyer has been one of the bright points for Wales this year as they look to overhaul their squad and give experience to a young crop of players, and he is seventh in the list of metres carried across the Six Nations, second for Wales behind only Cameron Winnett.
It shows that they are keen to get the ball to him and with two tries to his name already he has a taste for the try line.
Wales to win by 13+ points, Wales first try, North to score
Given everything that is at stake, Wales should fly out of the traps in Cardiff. Buoyed by the atmosphere, home soil and Gatland’s nous, they should be able to record a relatively comfortable victory and score some points in the meantime.
In addition to racking up a few points, we’re picking out a fairytale finish for George North this week.
The winger-cum-centre has been recalled and has 47 international tries to his name, so it would be fitting to go out with one more in Cardiff this week.
Team Lineups
We check out both teams for Saturday’s big match in Cardiff.
Wales
- Thomas
- Dee
- Lewis
- Jenkins (cap)
- Beard
- Mann
- Reffell
- Wainwright
- Williams
- Costelow
- Dyer
- Tompkins
- North
- Adams
- Winnett
Italy
- Fischetti
- Nicotera
- Ferrari
- Cannone
- Ruzza
- Negri
- Lamaro (capt)
- Cannone
- Varney
- Garbisi
- Ioane
- Menoncello
- Brex
- Lynagh
- Pani
Previous Results
Check out the last five results between Wales and Italy in the Six Nations below.
| Year | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy 17-29 Wales | Rome |
| 2022 | Wales 21-22 Italy | Cardiff |
| 2021 | Italy 7-48 Wales | Rome |
| 2020 | Wales 42-0 Italy | Cardiff |
| 2019 | Italy 15-26 Wales | Rome |
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