Italy vs Wales LIVE! Six Nations 2023 match stream, latest score and rugby updates today
The fourth round of the Six Nations begins this afternoon with an exciting duel at the Stadio Olimpico. A struggling Welsh side travel to Rome desperate to avoid another bitter defeat which would see the dreaded wooden spoon in hand for the first time in 20 years after Paris last weekend.
Despite the return of messiah Warren Gatland as head coach, it has so far been a miserable tournament for Wales, who have enjoyed their worst start since 2007 with three straight defeats against the backdrop of an ongoing rugby crisis in the country. They re-announced the changes today to avoid losing to brave Italy for the second year in a row.
The Azzurri’s shocking last-second win in Cardiff 12 months ago ended their 36-game Six Nations losing streak that stretched back to 2015 and provided a platform for real growth. Now, despite the absence of Ange Capuozzo, they have their sights set on their first home win in the competition in a decade after losing some spirited performances in recent weeks. Follow Italy vs Wales live below!
live updates
Italy vs Wales: countdown to kick-off
Just one hour left until we kick off in Rome when the fourth round of the 2023 Six Nations begins!
Visit fans in good spirits in Rome
Strike talks have affected the Wales team, the manager admits
Warren Gatland has admitted talks about aspiring after the recent defeat by England had an impact on their performance.
WRU managed to strike a deal to avoid a strike but the Welsh manager has confirmed a split has formed in the camp.
“If you think about it, the off-field stuff definitely had an impact,” Gatland said.
“There was quite a big division in the group about which path we should take and I think that definitely created tension for a couple of weeks.”
The Welsh rugby hero dies
Welsh rugby lost Andy Hill in the week after his death aged 78.
The Scarlets legend has been dubbed one of the best players never to win an international cap for his national team.
Italy vs Wales: match odds
Win Italy: 5/6
Wales wins: Evens
Draw: 18.1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Not a good omen for Wales
Italy clinched a narrow victory in the U20 Six Nations clash between these two sides last night, leaving the Welshmen with four losses from four.
Today’s goal
The wonderful Stadio Olimpico in Rome is the venue for today’s duel of the Six Nations.
It has been a decade this week since the Azzurri recorded their last win over a Tier 1 rugby nation at this stadium – with Ireland as the latest casualty.
Wales are unbeaten here since 2007…
Recap: Some memorable moments in Italy vs Wales
Warren Gatland explains Louis Rees-Zammit’s decision
Louis Rees-Zammit misses a spot in the Wales lineup today due to a lack of match sharpness.
When naming his team, Warren Gatland said: “Liam Williams comes at full-back. We discussed whether we put Louis Rees-Zammit on full-back and what that would have looked like.
“But he hasn’t played much rugby yet to come back from a relatively long injury with his ankle and we just felt with the way the game was going to be and the pace of the game that he was coming off the bench and The impact he can have could be quite important.”
Italy vs Wales: Prediction
Going into the penultimate weekend, the feeling is that Italy will never stand a better chance of ending the long 10-year wait for a Six Nations home win.
Aside from a hard-fought first half at Murrayfield, Wales have been unlucky throughout the tournament with no semblance of a workable tactical plan against England two weeks ago.
Italy have been disappointing at Twickenham but have rivaled both France and Ireland and impressed with their unwavering commitment to exciting attacking rugby which admittedly can often land them in hot water.
The absence of the electric Capuozzo is a real shame but we support the Italians to claim a hard-fought victory here anyway that will leave sad Wales staring at a first wooden spoon since 2003.
Italy wins by five points.