Wales vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2024 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 16th March, 2024 – 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? Ticket information for Wales vs Italy can be found on each nation’s official website
What channel is Wales vs Italy on in the UK? Television coverage is shared between BBC and ITV so it is worth checking their schedules for Wales vs Italy
Where can I stream Wales vs Italy in the UK? If televised live on BBC, Wales vs Italy can be streamed live on iPlayer, while ITVX is the place to go if the match is on ITV
THE LOWDOWN
WALES
- Wales face finishing the Six Nations at the bottom of the pile after losing a fourth successive contest last time out, shipping 45 points in defeat to France.
- The Welsh need a result here and there is added meaning to the encounter with Italy with George North announcing that this will be his final game of international rugby.
ITALY
- Italy were able to build on their draw with France as they recorded an excellent come-from-behind victory against Scotland last week.
- The Italians fought back from a 12-point deficit to claim a narrow success but that win came at a cost with fullback Ange Capuozzo suffering a fractured finger in that game and he is ruled out here.
THE TEAM NEWS
WALES
Starting 15: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady
ITALY
Starting 15: Lorenzo Pani, Louis Lynagh, Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Martin Page-Relo, Leonardo Marin
THE PREDICTION
This is a contest to avoid the wooden spoon as Wales host Italy. The away side are in the driving seat after securing positive results in back-to-back matches but they will need to match their efforts of recent weeks to avoid finishing bottom of the table. Wales have lost all of their matches in this season’s tournament to date and while they are capable of ending their drought here, it is worth siding with the Italians to keep up their good run of form with the aid of a solid start on the handicap.
TIP: ITALY +12
