Italy welcome Wales to the Stadio Olimpico for their third match of
the 2013 Six Nations and the Welsh side are odds on favourites on
Saturday 23rd February.
Italy will be hoping to reproduce the
magic that saw them beat Wales in the 2007 competition and earn a hugely
creditable draw in 2006, although Wales have comfortably won the last
five meetings between the two teams.
Wales head into this year's
game off the back of a morale-boosting win in France, while the Italians
are smarting after suffering a thrashing at the hands of Scotland.
Interim Wales coach Rob Howley has confirmed he'll keep the same
starting line-up from last weekend's winning match against France when
Wales take on Italy on February 23rd.
"On the back of the
performance at the weekend, we have decided to reward the players who
took to the field and the same XV who started in Paris will start
against Italy," said Howley.
"It's a reward for their
performance. We talked about attitude, determination and resilience and a
side that comes up with a win out in France, which is not an easy place
to win on any occasion, deserves to start the next match.
"Obviously we are mindful that the XV selected is dependent on injuries,
with some players playing before next week, but if everyone comes
through it will be the same XV.
"I thought Ryan (Jones) was outstanding in terms of his leadership and he will captain the side against Italy.
“Sam (Warburton) is still feeling the stinger to some extent but it has
improved but I just want to clarify that the team comes first and the
way the team played, they deserve to start again."
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