9:10am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Iwan Davies
WALES’ clash with Italy is far from a dead rubber.
Today’s other two Six Nations games in Paris and Dublin are where the big boys of France and Ireland are going for the prizes.
But this afternoon at least presents Wales with a chance to get their show back on the road following a chronic Six Nations campaign.
With Warren Gatland’s men facing World Cup champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium in under two months before embarking on a daunting two-Test tour of New Zealand later in June, Wales have got to start improving, and fast.
If the lineout, defence, back row and centre partnership of Jamie Roberts and James Hook don’t start to show a bit of shape, one starts to seriously worry about the future with the World Cup just over a year away.
The Azzurri’s home win over Scotland last month was great for the tournament and great for Italian rugby.
They have shown signs of improvement this season and could have caused a major upset against England in Rome.
But they are dreadful away from home, having only one Six Nations victory on the road to their name in ten years (Scotland their victims by 37-17 in 2007).
Nothing less than a comprehensive win is acceptable and Wales should win by at least 20 points against a depleted Italian side.
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