The Azzurri have the honour of welcoming the defending champions back the party, but they probably won’t be feeling too lucky come full time. The Welsh faithful have been beaten down and rolled into a carpet by the squabbling blazers, and only a signature performance from Warren’s warriors can save them from the cliff. Anything less and the tides of anger might grow to a wave of vitriol too great for any public relations man to quell.
Gatland has enlisted his top men for the job, with only Sam Warburton rested on account of his dodgy shoulder. He still finds himself on the bench, however, and it could hardly be called a downgrade to field the gifted Justin Tipuric in his place. Alun Wyn Jones captains the side and again some might argue that he should keep the role, but that can wait for another day.
Rhys Priestland has been awarded first crack at the no10 jersey, preferred to Dan Biggar and James Hook, with the latter’s versatility earning him a spot in the reserves. Scott Williams fills in for clubmate Jonathan Davies at outside centre, and Paul James starts at loosehead with Gethin Jenkins ruled out with a bad knee. Richard Hibbard has shaken off a rib complaint to start at hooker, and Rhys Webb has deposed Lloyd and Rhodri Williams of the reserve scrumhalf role.
Jacques Brunel has made five changes to the side that ran out against Argentina in November. Marco Bortolami becomes the fifth Italian player to win 100 caps, with recalled flanker Mauro Bergamasco set to join him should he appear in all five games of the championship. Leonardo Sarto and Angelo Esposito replace Tommaso Iannone and Giovanbattista Venditti on the wings, and big centre Alberto Sgarbi comes in at centre in place of Gonzalo Canale, who broke his leg in the last minute of that match against the Pumas.
Expect Wales to come out with all guns blazing as they attempt to overwhelm the inexperienced Italian backs early and often. The Azzurri are actually fielding the most experienced forward pack in the history of test rugby so they will hold their own up front, but that age will start to catch up in the last quarter and the reserves are not nearly as impressive. The champions start things off right with a 25 point victory.
WALES vs ITALY
Saturday, February 1, 14:30 GMT, Cardiff
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Assistants: Glen Jackson (NZRU) & Francisco Pastrana (UAR)
TMO: Iain Ramage (SRU)
