Italy '15 points better than Wales' as pundits write off Gatland's team entirely
Former rugby internationals Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode say they are expecting a resounding Italian victory over Wales this weekend, with the former claiming that the hosts in Rome are '15 points better' than Warren Gatland's side.
The Six Nations got off to a disastrous start for Wales on the opening weekend as they were crushed 43-0 by France in Paris, with their meeting with Italy on Saturday now seen as one of their most important games in years.
Win and they will finally end their dismal losing run of 13 successive Test matches, but lose and they will be staring down the barrel at another Six Nations whitewash and wooden spoon, with their losing steak potentially stretching to an unprecedented 17 games before the end of March.
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But neither Hamilton nor Goode - the hosts of The Rugby Pod podcast - can see anything other than an Italian win in Rome this weekend, having not been encouraged by what they saw from Gatland's side against France. While they were praised for their commitment and effort, the duo claimed that Wales "have no punch" and simply don't look like scoring due to their lack of physicality and attacking prowess.
"There was a load of endeavour and they did probably empty the tank in terms of effort and desire and willingness to put their bodies on the line," said Goode as he reflected on Friday's match. "But the harsh reality [is] you're playing physically the biggest team in the Six Nations in France against physically the smallest team in the Six Nations in Wales, and it was just men against boys at times, wasn't it?
"I'm not faulting the effort or desire and all that stuff. They had loads of ball, got it to width, [but] they've got no punch. They've got no ability to win a gain line and that's partly to do with the size of France and their players, but also just the make-up of the Wales squad. That's just where they are at the moment."
Hamilton then chimed in: "They don't have one player that can get over the gain line either through footwork or through out and out pace. That's what they're lacking. They just never looked like scoring."
Former England international Goode continued: "It's just really sad for Wales, when you haven't got that punch, you haven't got that game breaking ability. You didn't have the opportunities to really stress a French defence who sit off and let you sort of put your shape on in front of them and then hit you when they're man on man and you're just losing the physical [battle].
"It was hard for them and you go back to November with Wales and the games against South Africa and Australia, they're so far behind physically as a nation. As the power game has got more and more important, it's tougher and tougher for Wales.
"You just can't see where a win is coming, especially going over to Italy this weekend, with what they can achieve with the players that they've got."
And after identifying the physicality that the Italians boast within their squad, Hamilton agreed the home side were favourites this weekend and doubled down with a bold score prediction.
"Italy are 15 points better than this Welsh team," he said, to which Goode responded: "There you go James. There’s f***ing sharpening a knife and then there’s getting two of them and sticking them in!"
"Genuinely, I've got nothing on this game," Hamilton continued. " I'm going based on what we're seeing. This Italian team drew with France last year, they beat Scotland last year, they were physical as anything at the weekend and they actually didn't play that well against Scotland. They've got so much more in them.
"They've got proper talent. They've got five players in their backline that play in the Top 14. They've got warriors, proven players now at Test level. They're beating Wales."
Asked if he was sticking to his prediction of Italy winning by 15 points, the former Scotland star added: "Yeah, confidently. There’s a part of it that could be 15-0. I don't know how Wales score.
"I know it’s different with Italy, their defence wasn't amazing at the weekend systematically. I’m going to go 25-9."
Goode was slightly kinder as he gave his prediction, saying: "I’m going to go 27-17 to Italy. 10-point victory for the Italians."
However, he couldn't resist adding: "For Wales, the depression will continue."
