The war of words between Warren Gatland and Italian coach Nick Mallett is almost over. Now it is time for the players to take the talk onto the pitch.
Wales run out against Italy at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow safe in the knowledge the wooden spoon has already been avoided and with the possibility of planting another marker in the sand under Gatland.
But the Italians are no longer the pushovers they once were. They boast a pack which is arguably the strongest in the Six Nations, and Wales haven’t beaten them since their 38-8 Grand Slam rout in Rome in 2005. The last time the Azzurri came to Cardiff, in 2006, they held Wales to an 18-all draw.
England and Ireland will testify to the progress made by the Italians under former South African supremo Mallet who took charge of the Azzurri in October last year.
Italy pushed Ireland all the way in Dublin, losing 16-13, and gave Brian Ashton’s men a fright in Rome with a late charge. England held on to win by a whisker, 23-19.
Gatland has made six changes from the side that despatched Scotland a fortnight ago and the justification for his tinkering is a long-term view. A 2011 World Cup victory with Wales in his homeland of New Zealand is some prospect, but the Italians are not to be toyed with in the mean time.
Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones are promoted to first choice half-backs, Tom Shanklin will win his 50th cap, Mark Jones is preferred to rookie Jamie Roberts on the wing and there’s an all new front row of Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas and Matthew Rees.
Augmented by a rejuvenated Gavin Henson, the ever-present Martyn Williams and the footloose and frisky Shane Williams, Wales should have the experience and the creativity to win this time around. But the Welsh faithful would be well advised to trim their nails before kick-off.
Mallet has described Wales as the best attacking team in the championship behind France but will be looking both to draw them into a forward game while capitalising on Welsh mistakes such as those witnessed at Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium.
Gatland, though, has faith in his selection and has depth in his squad. Eyebrows were raised at the exclusion of tighthead prop Adam Jones in favour of the comparatively inexperienced Thomas but 55-times capped Jenkins is confident the all-new Welsh front row can handle everything the Italians throw at them.
This is some statement given the presence of Jenkin’s opposite number in the scrum, last year’s Guinness Premiership player of the season, Martin “the Tiger” Castrogiovanni, and proof of the confidence Gatland, a former All-Black hooker, is instilling in the side.
Mallett has opted to do some tinkering of his own although most of Italy’s changes are as a result of injury. David Bortolussi, Pablo Canavosio and Kayne Robertson are all out of action and front row Andrea Lo Cicero has been dropped to the bench, giving Salvatore Perugini the chance to lock horns with Thomas at loosehead prop.
Andrea Marcato will fill in at full-back for Bortolussi while Simon Picone, who crossed against England has been repaid with a starting berth at scrum-half in place of Pietro Travagli.
Alberto Sgarbi comes in on the wing for Robertson and Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami has made the bench, as he returns after missing the opening two games due to a neck injury.
Over the last five years Wales’ record against Italy is two wins a piece and a draw, 18-18 in the Millennium Stadium, the scene of tomorrow’s encounter.
Talk of the Triple Crown, the Championship or a Grand Slam decider against France are firmly on hold, at least until Englishman Dave Pearson blows his whistle 80 minutes after kick-off tomorrow.
Wales run out against Italy at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow safe in the knowledge the wooden spoon has already been avoided and with the possibility of planting another marker in the sand under Gatland.
But the Italians are no longer the pushovers they once were. They boast a pack which is arguably the strongest in the Six Nations, and Wales haven’t beaten them since their 38-8 Grand Slam rout in Rome in 2005. The last time the Azzurri came to Cardiff, in 2006, they held Wales to an 18-all draw.
England and Ireland will testify to the progress made by the Italians under former South African supremo Mallet who took charge of the Azzurri in October last year.
Italy pushed Ireland all the way in Dublin, losing 16-13, and gave Brian Ashton’s men a fright in Rome with a late charge. England held on to win by a whisker, 23-19.
Gatland has made six changes from the side that despatched Scotland a fortnight ago and the justification for his tinkering is a long-term view. A 2011 World Cup victory with Wales in his homeland of New Zealand is some prospect, but the Italians are not to be toyed with in the mean time.
Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones are promoted to first choice half-backs, Tom Shanklin will win his 50th cap, Mark Jones is preferred to rookie Jamie Roberts on the wing and there’s an all new front row of Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas and Matthew Rees.
Augmented by a rejuvenated Gavin Henson, the ever-present Martyn Williams and the footloose and frisky Shane Williams, Wales should have the experience and the creativity to win this time around. But the Welsh faithful would be well advised to trim their nails before kick-off.
Mallet has described Wales as the best attacking team in the championship behind France but will be looking both to draw them into a forward game while capitalising on Welsh mistakes such as those witnessed at Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium.
Gatland, though, has faith in his selection and has depth in his squad. Eyebrows were raised at the exclusion of tighthead prop Adam Jones in favour of the comparatively inexperienced Thomas but 55-times capped Jenkins is confident the all-new Welsh front row can handle everything the Italians throw at them.
This is some statement given the presence of Jenkin’s opposite number in the scrum, last year’s Guinness Premiership player of the season, Martin “the Tiger” Castrogiovanni, and proof of the confidence Gatland, a former All-Black hooker, is instilling in the side.
Mallett has opted to do some tinkering of his own although most of Italy’s changes are as a result of injury. David Bortolussi, Pablo Canavosio and Kayne Robertson are all out of action and front row Andrea Lo Cicero has been dropped to the bench, giving Salvatore Perugini the chance to lock horns with Thomas at loosehead prop.
Andrea Marcato will fill in at full-back for Bortolussi while Simon Picone, who crossed against England has been repaid with a starting berth at scrum-half in place of Pietro Travagli.
Alberto Sgarbi comes in on the wing for Robertson and Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami has made the bench, as he returns after missing the opening two games due to a neck injury.
Over the last five years Wales’ record against Italy is two wins a piece and a draw, 18-18 in the Millennium Stadium, the scene of tomorrow’s encounter.
Talk of the Triple Crown, the Championship or a Grand Slam decider against France are firmly on hold, at least until Englishman Dave Pearson blows his whistle 80 minutes after kick-off tomorrow.
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