By Paul Jones
Josh Adams has admitted Wales’ upcoming Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy is already a pivotal moment in their campaign, as Warren Gatland’s side look to end a harrowing losing streak.
Defeat in Rome would leave Wales staring down the prospect of a second consecutive Six Nations wooden spoon, with formidable fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, and England still to come.
The statistics paint a grim picture. The 43-0 humiliation by France marked Wales’ 13th successive Test defeat and their seventh consecutive Six Nations loss.
They have failed to register a victory in the competition since toppling Italy at Stadio Olimpico in March 2023, and they have already conceded 24 tries in just four matches this season.
France underlined their Guinness Men’s Six Nations title credentials with a dominant opening-night 43-0 win against Wales in Paris
Match report here ➡️ https://t.co/1TX5UYlEcu#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/ckLHlMvy2N
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 31, 2025
For head coach Warren Gatland, the pressure is mounting. Since returning for his second stint in charge, he has overseen just six wins in 25 Tests.
“It’s huge, isn’t it? We said that in the changing rooms after the (France) game,” said Adams.
“We understand the run we’ve been on. It’s 13 (losses) now. We want that to stop, obviously, and we are working tirelessly to do that.
“It is a big game for us, and we understand that. Not many people have given us any hope in this campaign, and we are going to try and use that to our advantage.”
Wales have relocated to Nice for their preparations ahead of the clash with Italy, with the focus heavily on injuries suffered against France.
Centre Owen Watkin sustained a suspected serious knee injury and is expected to face a lengthy layoff.
Meanwhile, No 8 Aaron Wainwright left the field in the first half with a facial wound, and scans are expected to confirm whether he has suffered a fractured cheekbone—a development that would rule him out for the remainder of the tournament.
https://t.co/RyanZxSzEu
They are correct! There should be a two tier tournament. Two groups of five teams. Georgia, Romania, Spain Portugal, Italy, France, Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland. @WorldRugby @IrishMirror @The_Six_Nations @WelshRugbyUnion @RoryBest2— Mark (@Exp_Sec_Prof) February 2, 2025
Adding to Gatland’s concerns, veteran backrower Taulupe Faletau is still recovering from a knee issue that kept him out of the France game.
If Wainwright is sidelined, the versatile James Botham may be called upon to fill the No 8 role, as he did when shifting from the flank against France.
However, such a reshuffle would be far from ideal for Wales in what has become a must-win fixture.
Italy enters the contest on the back of a 31-19 defeat to Scotland, but they have beaten Wales twice in their last three Six Nations meetings. However, their last home victory over Wales came 18 years ago.
Adams acknowledged the areas in which Wales must improve, while also praising Italy’s underrated physicality and continuity in play.
“We can make a clear improvement on things – they are not massive fixes. They are things we need to bring to the front of our minds and make a real focus point for the week,” he said.
“We have got to be a lot better in certain areas. Italy are a very good side, they have got nice continuity, and teams probably don’t give them credit for how physical they are.
“The licence we have been given to maybe play a bit more rugby with the players we have I think definitely suits us. I hope at the beginning of the (France) game we showed that.
“We did it in parts, but we definitely need to get better at it. I am sure previously you would have seen us kick the ball a lot more.
“From my view, I thought we started the game really well. I hope everyone can see there was some attacking ambition from us with how we wanted to play.
“I hope we did cause them some issues, but the challenge is we have to do it better because the areas we got into at the beginning of the game were really good.
“We have to be better, and I am sure this week in Nice will help us with that.”