Ahead of their match in the Men’s Six Nations, Italy and Wales are preparing for what could be a pivotal showdown. Both teams have much to prove, with Wales in the grip of their worst losing run and potentially looking to drop to the lowest place in the world rankings. Meanwhile, Italy are on a quest for respect, contending with the unease of being the odds-on favourites and looking for their first home win in the Six Nations since ten years ago.
There might not be any silverware at stake, but both teams are acutely aware of the significance of Saturday’s game. Victory could be the key to setting a new foundation for success, while defeat could lead to disaster and embarrassment. Make no mistake, Italy’s supporters are convinced the local team is going to win. They have a good reason to think so, with Wales approaching this game as outsider, possibly for the first time ever.
Both teams are well prepared for the challenge ahead, with Wales having spent the week together in Nice away from the pressure cooker of home. They are aiming for that delicate balance where they do not put too much pressure on themselves. Playing with freedom to give themselves the best chance of winning is the objective. Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada believes winning mentality is key. Last week, a lack of it might have led to Italy losing to Scotland.
In the run-up to this match, the two teams have struggled for respect and a sense of pride. Italy’s captain, Michele Lamaro, is still fuming about the lack of it shown to his team when they faced Wales in Cardiff back in 2019. He believes that teams such as Wales, with their big rugby traditions and cultures, simply do not respect Italy to the same degree. Nevertheless, both teams are keenly anticipating Saturday’s contest, with the pressure on to deliver to the best of their abilities
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
