Wales should beat Italy quite comfortably and a bonus-point would be the cherry on top.
But with the Six Nations title gone for another year, there are two things I’d like to see from Warren Gatland’s side against the Azzurri.
There will be no excuse for not producing an 80-minute display at Principality Stadium and I want to see the attacking rugby Wales showed against Scotland back on display. The other area where there has to be a significant improvement is the breakdown.
I’d urge Warren not to consider too many changes. I think three or four – not nine or ten as we’ve seen in autumn campaigns in the past – is the way to go.
Everyone knows Italy stay in the game a little longer these days, they give it everything, but ultimately often come out on the wrong side of the result. I expect that to happen again this weekend. If it doesn’t, there will have been one big shock.
There has been a lot of discussion about the fly-half jersey since the defeat to Ireland. I know that’s always the case in Wales, but it’s a tricky situation for Warren. What does he do?
Gareth Anscombe has been superb at No.10 in the last two games and I think he’s an excellent player who offers a running threat which challenges defences. I can see why he is an attractive option, but if Gareth starts against Italy, that’s three flyhalves used in the Championship already.
That’s a good thing if you’re looking at new combinations and trying different personnel. We are 18 months out from a World Cup and that does give Warren a degree of breathing room to assess.
This story is from the March 04, 2018 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the March 04, 2018 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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