Wales vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2022 Six Nations Championship
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THE FACTS
When is Wales vs Italy on and what time does it start? Wales vs Italy will take place on Saturday 19th March, 2022 – 14:15 (UK)
Where is Wales vs Italy taking place? Wales vs Italy will take place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Where can I get tickets for Wales vs Italy? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Wales vs Italy
What channel is Wales vs Italy on in the UK? Wales vs Italy will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream Wales vs Italy in the UK? Wales vs Italy can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
WALES
- Wales put in a solid fight at home to champions-elect France on Friday night last weekend but they could be rueing not going for more in a 9-13 defeat by just the one try.
- In yet another remarkable return from injury, Alun Wyn Jones will start against Italy although the captain’s armband remains on Dan Biggar’s capable arm for his 100th international cap.
Wales: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Uilisi Halaholo, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (c), 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Seb Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Bradley Roberts, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Nick Tompkins
ITALY
- Italy put in a huge shift in a 22-33 defeat to Scotland in Rome last Saturday with an impressive turn from Ange Capuozzo as the youngster came off the bench to score two tries.
- Head coach Kieran Crowley rewards Capuozzo with a first start for Italy, with Pierre Bruno making way, whilst Marco Fuser also comes in for Niccolo Cannone.
Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Giosuè Zilocchi, 19 David Sisi, 20 Niccolò Cannone, 21 Braam Steyn, 22 Alessandro Fusco, 23 Marco Zanon
THE PREDICTION
Three defeats from four for Wales is no way to defend a Six Nations Championship but they can at least aim to finish above Scotland with a bonus-point victory more than likely here. The return of talisman Alun Wyn Jones is cause for celebration, as is Dan Biggar’s 100th international test, and head coach Wayne Pivac will probably rotate the squad throughout the match to give as many players a chance to leave their mark on the competition. Italy can often contribute to big scorelines these days but the hosts should still be able to cover at least -25 in victory here.
