Wales focused on 'performance' rather than outcome ahead of Italy test
Italy could end this year's tournament with three wins from five matches - their best return in Six Nations history
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Italy’s historic win over England last week has raised expectations around the Azzurri, and Wales head coach Steve Tandy knows his side will need a strong performance if they are to secure their elusive Six Nations victory.
After encouraging displays against Scotland and Ireland, Tandy insisted there is no pressure on Wales to claim their first Six Nations win since 2023 on Saturday, but he is keen to see another solid showing.
He has kept his starting XV the same from the 27-17 defeat to Ireland in Round 4, making only one change to the matchday squad with Scarlets’ Blair Murray coming on to the bench.
It’s the first time Wales have made just one change to a squad since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as they prepare to face an Italian side brimming with confidence.
"They [Italy] have done an amazing job,” said Tandy. "They’ve become really consistent and they’ve been consistent with their team. They backed a lot of a young group for many years, and they’ve gone through tough periods like ourselves.
"Ultimately, we know Italy are a fantastic team. They beat England, and I think it tells you everything about the Six Nations.
“We’ve got the utmost respect for Italy, and we know we’re going to have to have a better performance than we did against Ireland to get what we want from the game."
Tandy also highlighted the danger Italy’s centre options could pose, recalling Tommasso Menoncello’s standout performance against England.
Menoncello scored before setting up Leonardo Marin’s match-winning try in the final 10 minutes, running 89 metres and making two line breaks in the process.
“He [Menoncello] is an outstanding player,” added Tandy. "There’s an awareness piece of Menoncello and Brex and Marin, who comes off the bench, so they’ve got power right throughout the team.
"But I believe if we build on Ireland, then we’ll have enough in our armoury to really bring ourselves into the game."
Carré set to continue charging around
One of the tournament’s standout moments came in Round 4 when Saracens prop Rhys Carré scored a brilliant individual try, which has been widely celebrated on social media.
When asked if the try-scoring prop might line up in the back field, Tandy defended his centres while praising Carré.
"That would be a big leap of faith!" Tandy replied. "He is class but all jokes aside, what he did at the weekend was outstanding. He has added to our team when we play to our strengths, but I'm really happy with our centres.
"We have some consistency there now and Eddie [James] and Joe [Hawkins] have cohesion that is really exciting for the future.
"But having a loose-head that can score those sorts of tries is very useful for us."
Can the losing streak end?
Wales are in the midst of a 15-game losing streak in the Six Nations and are likely to collect the 'wooden spoon' for a third consecutive year, barring an extraordinary 100-point swing in points difference with England.
Their last Six Nations win came against Italy in 2023, and they have not tasted victory at home in the tournament since February 2022.
Asked whether performance or result matters more, Tandy was clear he wants both.
"I think performance," said Tandy. "If we get the performance, the result will follow. I want both, if I'm honest.
"I genuinely believe in this group and can see where we want to go in the distance, but also understand the here and now.
"The performance will get us closer. We can't control the outcome. You see in games, the bounce of the ball might not always go your way, but what we have to be is consistent.
"The closer you get, like we did in the Scotland and Ireland games, and if you're in more games, results will follow."
