Rugby Union 43b4i

Italy Vs Wales Preview, Prediction, Team News And Confirmed Lineups Ahead Of Six Nations Showdown In Rome 3r1p

James Chittick Sports Editor

Published07 Feb 2025

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Here’s our Italy Vs Wales preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Saturday’s huge Six Nations clash in Rome.

Italy Vs Wales Preview 4b30i

Saturday sees a mammoth battle in Rome is Italy host wales at the Stadio Olimpico.

Italy ran Scotland close in Edinburgh in round one, before dropping off in the closing stages to lose 31-19.

For Wales, it’s not 13 losses on the bounce, a record-breaking run of defeats. They lost 43-0 to in a hammering at the Stade de in Paris.

As a result, this weekend is the first time in Six Nations history that Italy are entering a match as favourites.

The best UK rugby betting sites currently have them at 6/13, with Wales at 11/5.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 14:15 GMT, and you can find out how to watch Italy Vs Wales here.

Italy Vs Wales Team News 3c5551

Italy:

Italy have named their team to play Wales in Round Two of the Six Nations 🏆

📌 Niccolo Cannone replaces Dino Lamb
📌 Jacopo Trulla replaces Simone Gesi on the bench#SixNations #ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/80Us5VgrzR

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) February 6, 2025

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada makes just one change to the match-day squad, with Jacopo Trulla coming onto the bench for the injured Simone Gesi.

Niccolo Cannone starts ahead of Dino Lamb in the second row, with former England U20 lock Lamb dropping to the bench.

The impressive centre partnership of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex continue in midfield.

In the back row, Seb Negri and Lorenzo Cannone skipper Michele Lamaro after a strong showing last weekend.

Wales:

Number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ed fit and centre Eddie James will make his first Wales international start in the Six Nations trip to face Italy on Saturday 🏉#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/S8X9v8tzwt

— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) February 6, 2025

Wales have brought in veteran forward Taulupe Faletau after the Tongan-born number eight was ed fit for Saturday.

He brings more than 100 caps worth of experience to this young Welsh side, with Eddie James making his first international start.

That pair come in for Aaron Wainwright and the injured Owen Watkin, with Wainwright moved to the bench.

Warren Gatland has dropped Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell from the squad altogether, while Ben Thomas keeps his place at fly-half.

Italy Vs Wales Confirmed Lineups 44123

Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.

Replacements: Lucchesi, Rizzoli, Riccioni, Lamb, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla.

Wales: L Williams; Rogers, Tompkins, James, Adams; B Thomas, T Williams; G Thomas, Lloyd, H Thomas, Rowlands, Jenkins, Botham, Morgan (capt), Faletau.

Replacements: Dee, Smith, Assiratti, F Thomas, Wainwright, R Williams, Edwards, Murray.

Italy Vs Wales Prediction 35p3u

The odds are in Italy’s favour for the first time ever in the Six Nations. Wales are in the deepest place they’ve ever been and there doesn’t look to be a way out.

In Cardiff, you’d maybe fancy the Welsh to pull off a win with their back to the wall, but home advantage should mean this much-improved Italian squad have enough to win well.

Prediction: Italy 27-19 Wales