Warren Gatland afternoon arrived in Rome on Thursday afternoon for a game that is set to define whether or not he continues as Wales head coach after this Six Nations, swapping the sun-kissed Cote d’Azur for what is set to be a Gladiatorial battle in the Italian capital.
Gatland and Wales simply have to win at the Stadio Olimpico, by hook or by crook, as they look end a record run of 13 straight international defeats.
But ahead of the pivotal round-two Championship clash, Gatland sought to downplay its importance – perhaps as a way of trying to not overload the pressure on his young squad.
Former Wales fly-half and Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar described the Italy game as ‘the biggest in Welsh rugby for the last 15 or 20 years.’
Biggar added: ‘I’m not saying that light-heartedly. It’s a huge, huge match.’
Despite the fact his position will almost certainly be terminated by the Welsh Rugby Union with a 14th straight loss, Gatland disagreed with his former playmaker.
Talismanic No 8 Taulupe Faletau returns for Wales’ for the first time since the World Cup
Warren Gatland will almost certainly lose his job if Wales’ losing streak extends to 14 matches
Dan Biggar says the game against Italy is ‘the biggest in Welsh rugby for the last 15 or 20 years’
‘It’s definitely not the biggest game in Wales in the last 20 years. It’s an important game for us,’ Gatland said.
‘We’re well aware we’ve got some other tough games in this competition. ‘We’re desperate to get a win. That’s the most important thing.’
Gatland has coached Wales in Grand Slam deciders and two World Cup semi-finals, so is no stranger to rugby’s biggest occasions.
A Six Nations basement battle hasn’t been the New Zealander’s usual playground over the years, but it is now where he and Wales find themselves. Their decline has been as swift as it has been alarming. Turning the corner will not be quick or straightforward.
That said, a Welsh victory this weekend would bring back a feel-good factor that has been lacking for some time now. Remarkably, Wales haven’t won a Test since October 7, 2023.
Their only wins between then and the present day have come in uncapped matches against the Barbarians and Queensland Reds. So, it’s no wonder Wales want a win and want it badly.
‘It would just get the monkey off our back, grow some confidence, and then the players can put their shoulders back and stand a bit taller,’ Gatland said.
‘I know how hard the players are working and trying. They’re desperate to get that win.’
Wales struggle to hold back the French onslaught during their humbling 43-0 defeat in Paris
Italy, meanwhile, showed moments of promising during their 31-19 defeat at Scotland
Scarlets centre Eddie James will make his international debut at Stadio Olimpico in Saturday
The reason this Italy game feels so decisive for Wales is because it will not only be campaign defining, but also impact the national side’s future direction of travel.
Lose, and a second consecutive winless Six Nations would be likely. In such a scenario, Wales’ winless run would extend to 17 matches. The subsequent impact of that would mean dropping further down World Rugby’s rankings and once again, poor Championship prize money.
At that point, it would be hard to escape the feeling Gatland’s position would be untenable.
If Wales are beaten by Italy on Saturday and Georgia – as expected beat the Netherlands in Rugby Europe – then Gatland’s side will drop from 11th to 12 in the standings.
In 2019, they were – albeit briefly – No 1.
For Italy, Wales are able to welcome back Taulupe Faletau after a week of training in Nice. The iconic No 8 hasn’t played for his country since they last won an international. He has had some cruel, cruel luck with injury but is fit after a knee problem to start in Rome.
At 34 and with 104 Wales caps, Faletau is in the twilight of his international career, although his class and experience is undisputed. His starting in Rome is a big boost for Gatland.
So too is the presence of another back-row forward in Aaron Wainwright – who begins as a replacement – after he recovered from a nasty facial cut suffered against France.
‘The way he’s trained has been good,’ said Gatland of his key No 8 Faletau.
‘It’s a real confidence booster. He brings experience and probably a little bit of X Factor. We know what an outstanding player he’s been in the past for Wales. He hasn’t had a lot of games in the last few years. But just having him back gives everyone a lot of confidence.
‘He wasn’t quite right last week with his knee. It’s been tough on him and it’s been hard with the injuries he’s had over the last number of years. We’re looking for some of those special traits he has to get us on the front foot and hopefully inspire those around him.’
Faletau missed the 43-0 round-one hammering by France, but is one of two changes to the starting XV for Italy. The other is the inclusion of heavyweight Scarlets centre Eddie James, 22. Gatland hopes both players will add to his team’s carrying ability.
Wales’ last Six Nations win was in Italy in 2023, but the Azzurri have won two of the last three meetings between the two sides and are odds-on favourites for the latest renewal.
Such a scenario is an unusual position for Italy to be in, but their progression – as well as Wales’ decline – means they are deserving of that tag.
However, it remains the case Italy have never won a round-two game in the Six Nations.
‘We’re all conscious as a staff of how do we be positive and take the pressure off the players in terms of them being young men? They’re well aware of the situation they’re in and they’re desperate to go out there and perform well,’ Gatland said.
‘I looked at some of the individuals last week and they gave us everything. They really tried hard. We need the bounce of the ball and a bit of luck as well which would help. But you’ve just got to keep being as positive as you possibly can. For us as coaches, we need to stay calm and allow the players the confidence to go out there and express themselves.’
Italy: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capt), Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Riccioni, Dino Lamb, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacopo Trulla
Wales: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (capt), Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Kick-off: 2.15pm, Saturday. Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: ITV
