"It will get the monkey off your back"- Gatland opens up on how much a win in Italy would mean for Wales
Today at 05:51 AM
Warren Gatland's men travel to Rome on Saturday afternoon as they continue their 2025 Guinness Six Nations against Italy.
Experienced number eight, Taulupe Faletau, will make his first start for Wales since 2023. The last time the 34-year-old played for Wales, they put aside Georgia 43-19 in Nantes and that was the last time they had tasted a Test match victory. He was unavailable for the French clash due to a knee issue, which meant Dragons RFC's Aaron Wainwright wore the eight jersey.
Another player returning to the Welsh team is Scarlets, Eddie James who makes his first Test start for Wales. He has represented Wales on three occasions, coming off the bench, and made one start against Queensland Reds in an uncapped match last summer.
Wales have flown from their training camp in Nice to the Eternal City where they will aim to stop the drought of Test match defeats. Before that however Gatland sat down for a pre-match press conference and here are the five main talking points.
1- "He brings experience and a little bit of X-factor"- Gatland on return of Faletau.
"We know what an outstanding player he's been in the past for Wales. He hasn't had a lot of games in the last few years," explained Gatland.
"Just having him back gives everyone a bit of confidence. In terms of the way he's trained and he's looking good.
"He wasn't quite right last week with his knee, so it has been tough on him with the injuries he's had over the last couple of years.
"Hopefully, with him we are looking for some of those special traits he has to get us on the front foot and hopefully inspire the players around him."
2- First Test match start for Eddie James
Eddie James will pick up his fourth international Cap on Saturday and he'll do so by starting for the very first time. He replaces injured Owen Watkin who went off in the opening 40 minutes last Friday in Paris due to a knee injury.
22-year-old James will join Nick Tompkins in the centre, which is the 24th different combination in the twelve and thirteen channels since 2020.
On starting James, Gatland explained: "With Eddie, it's about giving him that opportunity and confidence.
"He's not just a big guy in terms of being able to carry the ball forward but he's got some lovely skills and hands.
"We've been encouraging him to do that with some of his passing and offloading game.
"He gives us an opportunity to get over the gain line with his size."
3- "I don't agree with that"- Gatland on how big this encounter is
Former Wales international, Dan Biggar stated that this match on Saturday afternoon is the biggest match in 15-20 years for Wales. However, sitting in the sunshine of the Cote d'Azur, Gatland admitted that the encounter with the Azzurri is not the biggest match in recent times. If Wales fall to another defeat in Rome it will be their 14th consecutive defeat, and you wonder whether the wooden spoon will be heading back to Wales.
"It's definitely not the biggest game Wales have had in 20 years," insisted Gatland.
"We know the situation we're in with the amount of players and experience we've lost.
"We've been in some close games but unfortunately we haven't been able to get over the line. We know we're in a bit of a rebuilding phase and aware we've got some tough games in this competition.
"It's an important game for us. We're desperate to get a win. That's the most important thing."
4- Defeat could see Wales drop to 12th place in the World Rankings
Wales currently sit in 11th place which is one place behind Saturday's opposition, Italy. Georgia who sit in 12th place could jump ahead of Wales if they are successful in dispatching the Netherlands on Saturday afternoon.
On getting a win, Gatland added: "It will get the monkey off your back and grow some confidence"
"It would help players put their shoulders back a little bit and stand a little bit taller. Those are the important things for that because I know how hard they are working and how hard they are trying.
"I haven't seen any of the external pressure. If you absorb yourself in that, I don't see it as being positive in trying to portray to the players what we're asking them to do.
"We're asking them to be positive and have confidence and self belief. I look at every game as being very important," said Gatland.
5- What he expects from Gonzalo Quesada's Italian side
Wales have a strong record in Rome, having not lost there since 2007 but their last trip to the city was their last Victory in the Six Nations. However, this is a completely different Welsh team heading to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday and Italy come into the match after a 31-19 defeat away to Scotland.
"What impressed me about them was their fight," Gatland explained.
"They are a team who won't go away. They'll compete hard at the breakdown and are a tough team to go away.
"We've spoken as a group about how important this game is for us. Players have taken some leadership and ownership this week. You try to be positive as much as you can. You try not to look at the white noise from the outside.
"That's hugely important. We are focusing on ourselves and preparing for this week. Every game is important.
"You concentrate on preparation and those things take care of themselves. We didn't express ourselves as much as we could have last week. We need to make sure we execute and take our chances.
"A win would give us confidence and I know how hard they are trying to get that win," concluded Gatland.
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