Andrew Cotter: Ordinarily Italy versus Wales might not gather too much attention on a Six Nations weekend, but this year the spotlight will shine brightly on a pivotal match - victory for Wales and it could be a turning point. With defeat it would be hard to see beyond another Wooden Spoon.

Wales don’t have the game-breaking backs that they once had. Josh Adams is in the midst of his longest try-scoring drought for Wales (eight matches), Liam Williams doesn’t have the gas to cut through defences like he did in his pomp, and Tom Rogers, who was lively against France, has yet to get off the mark.

Veteran loose forward Taulupe Faletau will play his first game for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named on Thursday in the starting line up for their vital Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday.