Italy host Wales in a likely Wooden Spoon decider in Rome on matchday four of the Guinness Six Nations.
Kieran Crowley's Azzurri have looked the stronger of the two sides, scoring 20 points against runaway leaders Ireland in round three. Warren Gatland's return to the fold in charge of Wales has been less than impressive, with a series of disappointing defeats.
The last time the two teams faced off Italy picked up an historic Cardiff win on the last day of the tournament in 2022, where they ended a 36-game losing streak. This result was huge for the Italians but proved to be crucial in the demise of Wayne Pivac's reign as Welsh coach, despite good performances from his side on the summer tour of South Africa.
What time is Italy v Wales kick-off?
Italy v Wales kicks off at 2.15pm on Saturday, 11th March at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
What TV channel is Italy v Wales on?
Italy v Wales is being broadcast live on ITV One and S4C. Coverage begins at 1.30pm. You can also live stream coverage using ITV X or S4C Clic respectively.
What's the Italy v Wales team news?
Wales have made six changes to the team that lost to England in Cardiff two weeks ago.
Rhys Webb will make his first start under Warren Gatland this campaign, and he is partnered with Owen Williams in the half-backs. Rio Dyer and Josh Adams will take up the flanks with Liam Williams returning to start at full-back.
The rest of the midfield is unchanged, with Mason Grady and Joe Hawkins at outside and inside centre respectively. In the pack, Wyn Jones replaces Gareth Thomas, and joins Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front row.
Dafydd Jenkins makes his second start for Wales alongside Adam Beard in the boiler house. The back row is made up of Jac Morgan at blindside, Justin Tipuric at openside and Taulupe Faletau at eight. The likes of George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Tommy Reffell are named amongst the replacements.
The Italians on the other hand have made just one change since their defeat to Ireland in the previous round.
Ange Capuozzo is injured. Harlequins star Tommaso Allan slots in at full-back in his place.
Crymych boy Stephen Varney starts at nine for Italy, with Montpellier star Paolo Garbisi at outside-half. The centres are made up of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello. Piere Bruno and Edoardo Padovani will supply the wing threats. Padovani scored the all important try against Wales in Cardiff last year.
Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simone Ferrari make up the front row. Niccolo Cannone and Federico Ruzza fill in behind them in second row, whilst Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro and Lorenzo Cannone complete the pack with a fearsome back row.
Wales: 15. Liam Williams; 14. Josh Adams, 13. Mason Grady, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer; 10. Owen Williams, 9. Rhys Webb; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens (capt), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Jac Morgan, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Rhys Davies, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. George North, 23. Louis Rees-Zammit.
Italy: 15. Tommaso Allan; 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Pierre Bruno; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (capt), 8. Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Manuel Zuliani, 22. Alessandro Fusco, 23. Luca Morisi.
Who's the Italy v Wales referee?
- Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
- Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
- TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
What have the coaches said?
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley: "We recovered well from the last game and this week we worked on the areas where we needed to improve.
"We know the match ahead against Wales and are looking forward to it and hopefully we can continue to develop the way we want to play."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "We’ve been disappointed with the results so far and for me it’s hard to take as it’s the first time I’ve lost three games in the Six Nations with Wales. We’ve had a lot of things going on off the field as well but there are no excuses.
"The message to the players has been that we have to be smart in terms of the way we play but we’ve also got to be brave and make sure that when the opportunities are on we shift the ball. We have to keep scanning and looking at options and if there’s a chance to move the ball then be brave and do that."
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