The bold Wales team Warren Gatland should pick for must-win Italy clash
Dan Biggar is adamant Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome is the biggest match Wales have played in 20 years.
That's debatable, but the importance of this fixture cannot be understated, especially in the context of Warren Gatland's future as head coach. Gatland received a stay of execution from the Welsh Rugby Union board at the end of 2024 despite not winning a single Test match.
If Wales lose in Rome it is difficult to see them coming close to winning another game during the Six Nations, leaving Gatland's position in serious doubt. One thing which is obvious is that Wales need to improve tenfold if they are to beat an Italy side who showed promise despite slipping to a 31-19 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield yesterday.
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With that in mind, this is the matchday squad rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas would select for Wales' Italian mission next Saturday.
15. Liam Williams
There is no guarantee Williams will be fit for next weekend's clash in Rome, with Gatland revealing the 33-year-old had been struggling with a knee injury in the build-up to Wales' Six Nations opener. Gatland also admitted if Owen Watkin hadn't been forced from the field with a serious injury early on against France he would have considered replacing Williams.
It was a tough day at the office for the experienced Saracens full-back but he is still Wales' best option at 15.
14. Tom Rogers
One of Wales' better players in Paris. The Scarlets man put a lot of pressure on France in the air and looked dangerous with ball in hand.
Rogers also put in a tremendous try-saving tackle on Antoine Dupont in the early exchanges of the game. Had little chance to show his class with ball in hand after the break but deserves an extended run in the side.
13. Joe Roberts
The Wales coaches have a lot of time for young Scarlets centre Roberts, who was unavailable for both the autumn and the summer internationals with a serious knee injury. Roberts has looked a bit rusty since returning for the Scarlets but he offers something a little bit different to the other midfield options.
The 24-year-old is an explosive runner who reads the game well in defence and is very physical. Roberts is also a left-footed kicking option, which is no bad thing when looking to exit your 22.
Wales' midfield has failed to convince over the past 18 months and while Roberts remains a work in progress at Test level at least he offers an attacking threat.
12. Eddie James
Former England number nine Ben Youngs has questioned Wales' tactics and their lack of ball carriers, while pinpointing the lack of "dent" in their attacking shape. One thing Scarlets centre James will give Wales is go forward.
Yes, the 22-year-old is inexperienced at this level but he is a player who can make significant post-contact metres while carrying in heavy traffic. James' footwork is also a positive, along with his distribution, and the Scarlets man is relatively good at offloading the ball from the point of contact.
He is a high-impact player, while his partnership with Joe Roberts at club level could also help in terms of cohesion.
11. Josh Adams
The 29-year-old had a torrid time out in Paris. Adams missed an early tackle on young France wing Théo Attissogbé, while he also got caught out of position on a few occasions.
In his defence he was forced to play on the backfoot for the majority of the game with the France pack crossing the gainline at will. But Adams' experience is still important and if Wales can get some front foot ball in Rome he remains a player who can cause damage with ball in hand.
10. Dan Edwards
It would be a big ask to throw the 21-year-old into a must-win game against the Azzurri, but Wales need to find some spark behind the scrum. Yes, the main reason for Wales' hiding in Paris was the lack of power up front but when they did have periods of possession they seemed to lack ideas.
Edwards has been excellent for the Ospreys over the past 18 months and is a real threat with ball in hand. The Ospreys playmaker is a player with vision and an excellent passing game, while his kicking out of hand and at goal is also good.
What also impresses about Edwards is his game management and his problem solving on the field. He is a confident player and that can be infectious.
If Wales carry on doing the same thing they will get the same result and if they are to put an end to a barren run of form then they need to try something different. Time for Gatland to roll the dice.
9. Tomos Williams
Friday night was definitely one to forget for the man from Treorchy. Williams was behind a pack that got smashed at the contact area and was therefore forced to play on the backfoot.
It was almost impossible to shine in such trying circumstances. But Wales' pack shouldn't have as tough a ride against Italy, which means Williams should get more opportunity to show his class.
The 30-year-old is head and shoulders above any other Welsh nine and can be a devastating runner with ball in hand.
8. Taulupe Faletau
There are no guarantees Faletau will be fit for Wales' appointment at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Gatland revealed Faletau had made the call to rule himself out of contention for the France game due to a bad knee, while the Cardiff No 8 was not among the matchday squad warming up in Paris.
But if he is fit the 34-year-old will have to come straight into the backrow, especially with Aaron Wainwright almost certainly set to get ruled out with a suspected broken cheekbone. At his best Faletau is one of world rugby's finest backrowers but he has been plagued by injuries over the past few years.
7. Jac Morgan (Captain)
Despite the end result Morgan was one of the best players on the field against France in Paris. The Wales captain was totemic, with 81 metres from 15 carries, while he also made 21 tackles and one clean line break.
All that in a back line that was very much second best as a collective. If Wales are going to end such a painful losing streak in six days' time then Morgan will need to be at his very best.
The first name on the team sheet.
6. James Botham
One of a whole host of Wales forwards who struggled to live with the sheer size and power of the France pack. But Botham is a tough competitor who is not scared of putting his body on the line.
A workhorse at the breakdown and very physical in defence, Botham could get more success at slowing down Italy's speed of ruck ball and winning turnovers than he did against the French.
5. Dafydd Jenkins
The Exeter Chiefs lock finished the defeat in Paris as the top tackler with 24. Jenkins put absolutely everything into Wales' efforts and is one of a handful of players who can give hope of a brighter future.
Jenkins is one of the first names on the team sheet with his work rate, physicality and his leadership a must-have in Rome. Italy's pack are no mugs so it will be another tough day at the office for the Wales front five who need to gain the upper hand.
4. Will Rowlands
The Racing 92 lock was another player who worked his socks off and constantly offered himself as a carrier throughout his time on the field. Rowlands didn't have much joy against a gargantuan France pack but is one of Wales' only significant ball carriers.
On paper a second-row pairing of Rowlands and Jenkins isn't a bad one by any means and they will have to win the physical confrontations against the Azzurri if Wales are to finally win a Test match for the first time since beating Georgia 16 months ago.
3. Henry Thomas
The scrum was the one area of Wales' performance which actually functioned well in Paris. A lot this was down to former England tighthead Thomas who scrummaged well throughout his time on the field.
Again the scrum will be very important if Wales are to beat Italy and Thomas has done enough to warrant another opportunity in Rome. The Scarlets tighthead also put in 12 tackles to prove he does contribute around the field as well as in the tight.
2. Evan Lloyd
It was a tough night for the Cardiff hooker on his first start for Wales. At 6ft 1in and 18st 1lbs Lloyd's size was clearly a factor in the 23-year-old winning the nod over the more experienced Elliot Dee at hooker.
Lloyd showed glimpses of what he is capable of with a few strong carries early on, while the scrum and the lineout was fairly solid. But he blotted his copybook by receiving a yellow card for a high shot on Louis Bielle-Biarrey but deserves another chance.
1. Gareth Thomas
Thomas has been a consistent performer in an underpowered Wales pack over the past few seasons. On Friday night the Ospreys prop scrummaged well, while he put in 16 tackles.
Nicky Smith is breathing down his neck but the Ospreys prop did nothing wrong on Friday night and deserves to keep his place. There are many within the game who believe Thomas to be a dark horse for a place on this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Replacements
16. Elliot Dee
The 30-year-old's experience will be vital coming off the bench. Dee is an all-action hooker, while his darts are the most accurate of any hooker in Wales.
17. Nicky Smith
The 30-year-old has been on fire for Leicester Tigers this season and is one of the most explosive scrummaging loosehead props around. Smith made an impact in the scrum as a replacement in Paris, while there was also a couple of powerful carries.
But loosehead prop is one area where Wales do have a bit of depth so Smith will have to bide his time for now.
18. Keiron Assiratti
The 27-year-old is a strong scrummager who is good with ball in hand and will play an important part in Rome.
19. Freddie Thomas
Thomas took one for the team on Friday night receiving a harsh yellow card for offside not long after coming on. The Gloucester lock has been in fine form in the English Premiership.
20. Christ Tshiunza
If Faletau and Wainwright are ruled out Gatland will surely have to call some backrow reinforcements into the squad. But they have invested in Tshiunza, meaning the 23-year-old is likely to be involved against Italy.
21. Rhodri Williams
Came off the bench in Paris and there is no reason to suggest he won't do the same in Rome. Williams has been one of the better players at the Dragons this season.
22. Ben Thomas
Paris was a real mixed bag for the Cardiff playmaker who showed flashes of what he is capable of in attack. The 26-year-old will be an important player in Rome, whether starting or coming off the bench.
23. Blair Murray
If the game is broken up going into the final quarter Murray is the type of player who could cause havoc by picking miss-matches.
