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Recap: Wales vs Italy LIVE | Guinness Six Nations
By RugbyPass
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Italy at Principality Stadium.
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
Here are five talking points heading into the Principality Stadium encounter:
Wayne’s world set for its Six Nations premiere
It has been a long time in the production process, given that it was announced during the summer of 2018 that Wayne Pivac would succeed Warren Gatland as Wales head coach after the World Cup earlier this season.
That long-term succession planning by the Welsh Rugby Union has given Gatland’s fellow New Zealander important time to observe, but the serious business is about to begin as he takes centre-stage.
(Continue reading below...)
The team captains were out in force at the recent Guinness 2020 Six Nations launch
Pace and power are the buzz words being bandied about regarding Pivac’s Wales, and while winning is everything, expect to be entertained in the process.
Is Warren Gatland an impossible act to follow?
There is no doubt that Gatland elevated Wales to new and consistent heights during his 12-year reign, masterminding three Six Nations Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-final appearances. In doing so, he raised expectation levels among the fans to a level not seen since Welsh rugby’s 1970s glory days, so Pivac unquestionably is taking over from a revered and highly-successful figure.
But the Gatland era is now over, and Pivac must do things his way as the first Wayne Pivac, not a second Warren Gatland. Early signs on the training pitch and behind the scenes have proved extremely encouraging.
George North – the centre of attention
North has been a mainstay of Wales teams since making his debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in 2010. Eighty seven of his 91 Wales appearances so far have been on the wing, but he will start this season’s Six Nations at outside centre as Wales look to fill the vacancy created by Jonathan Davies’ long-term absence because of knee trouble.
North’s four previous Wales runs in midfield came in 2014 (twice), 2015 and 2018, and Pivac has handed him a key role alongside Hadleigh Parkes this weekend. If the positional switch works out well, it could see North gaining an an extended run there. It is a fascinating prospect.
Wales’ back-row riches are the envy of many
Josh Navidi’s unfortunate hamstring injury will be a loss for Pivac, but his back-row selection task remains the nicest of headaches. Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and a fit-again Taulupe Faletau have won the vote this weekend, with World Cup starting number eight Ross Moriarty on the bench and the consistently-impressive Aaron Shingler not involved. With former Wales captain and openside flanker Sam Warburton now part of Wales’ coaching staff, it is an area of the team set to become even stronger.
Italy – the same old story?
“Lies, damned lies and statistics,” so the saying goes, but in Italy’s case, they are proven beyond doubt. They have had their moments and some famous victories, as all their Six Nations rivals apart from England can testify, but they have also collected the wooden spoon far too often and not won a Six Nations game since 2015.
In 20 previous Six Nations campaigns, Italy have finished last on 14 occasions. Their highest placing was fourth – achieved in 2007 and 2013 – and they start this season’s tournament without the greatest player in Italian rugby history as Sergio Parisse begins to wind down his Test career. It promises to be another struggle for the Azzurri.
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Latest Comments
If the weather is bad, it will become a forward game, and that is very bad news for England. The English defence is like sieve. The Boks have the best defence. Letting in 42 points, against the Wallabies who the Boks thrashed... You get the point. We all wish our teams are tough and will front up, but ignoring the obvious only brings pain. The fans like to believe the best, the players know the truth. They will try their best, I'm sure of that, but winning? A close game? Not a chance, and it's against almost a full strength Bok team. That should scare you. I'd suggest go and watch some of the games of the Boks this year. I doubt you followed the Boks tests and watched them, because if you had, you would not be so sure.
Go to commentsAndy G is so poor at judging players and his only skill, even as a player, is to try to cause a reaction. Never rated him as a player although he did have longevity, and surely don't rate him as a pundit. His only pundit skill is try to cause a reaction, no matter his lack of understanding of the game and how coaches operate! That is my view. formed over years!! If I say it I surely it cannot be wrong....LOL. In saying that, I wonder why all these past England players ALWAYS knock their current players. This is not new but it is a massive problem in England. For some reason the "old boys" think they were better than they actually were.
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