nick mallett

WALES' hopes of finishing a disappointing Six Nations on a high with a convincing victory over Italy at the Millennium Stadium today have been hit by a double intervention. Wales have averaged five tries and 40 points a game against the Azzurri since they joined the tournament ten years ago, but a combination of wet weather and Italian coach Nick Mallett's refusal to have the roof shut has minimised the chances. Not of achieving a much-needed victory after three defeats and a narrow squeak, for surely  

ITALY are trying to learn from the mistakes that led to their heavy defeat to France before taking on Wales on the last weekend of this year's Six Nations. Nick Mallett's men crashed to a 46-20 loss to Les Bleus in Paris on Sunday, a result that turned the Italians' 16-12 triumph over Scotland in the previous game into a distant memory. "We missed tackles against France and guys made the wrong decisions," Italy hooker Craig Gower said.

We missed tackles against France and guys made the wrong decisions   -Craig Gower

 

Italy have suffered another injury blow ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff. Centre Andrea Masi has been ruled out this morning after suffering soreness in his lower back, and will be replaced by Clermont Auvergne's Gonzalo Canale. Canale moves up off the replacements' bench, with Matteo Pratichetti now joining the substitutes.  

Italy fly-half Craig Gower believes his side are moving in the right direction, even though they could yet end up with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon. The Azzurri face Wales tomorrow knowing a win for Scotland against Ireland would condemn whoever loses the Millennium Stadium clash to last place. But Gower feels the Azzurri, who ran England and Scotland close after being comprehensively beaten by Ireland, have made strides this year.

We have to do the basics right and see what comes   -Craig Gower

 

WALES centre Jamie Roberts has underlined the sense of hurt currently being felt by the team's players and management. The 2008 RBS 6 Nations champions go into Saturday's Millennium Stadium finale against fellow strugglers Italy knowing they could end up with the wooden spoon. Italy would have to win - something the Azzurri have never previously achieved in Cardiff - and Scotland avoid defeat against Triple Crown-chasing Ireland for that to materialise.  

Jamie Roberts has underlined the sense of hurt currently being felt by the Wales players and management. The 2008 RBS 6 Nations champions go into Saturday's Millennium Stadium finale against fellow strugglers Italy knowing they could end up with the wooden spoon. Italy would have to win - something the Azzurri have never previously achieved in Cardiff - and Scotland avoid defeat against Triple Crown-chasing Ireland for that to materialise.  

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont has announced an unchanged squad to face England in the Six Nations. Following a 46-20 home win over Italy, Lievremont called back the same players for Saturday's game at the Stade de France outside Paris. France has won its first four matches in the tournament and is on course for its first grand slam since 2004, following victories over Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy.

France are the strongest team in the competition. They have beaten Wales away, they have beaten Scotland away, they smashed Ireland, they scored 46 points against us   -Nick Mallett

 

France defence coach Dave Ellis was delighted with his side's six-try show against Italy as Les Bleus remained on course for the Grand Slam. Even a late fightback in which the Azzurri plundered 14 points could not detract from Ellis' satisfaction from a job well done as he savoured a 46-20 RBS 6 Nations victory at Stade de France. "We were quite pleased with how we set up in the game but we sort of fell asleep a little bit in the last 10 minutes of the first half and it took us a while to wake up, sai  

France will edge closer towards a first Six Nations grand slam since 2004 today if they can extend their 10-year winning run over Italy at the Stade de France. France have turned in some impressive displays in the tournament so far, including a 33-10 drubbing of defending champions Ireland and a thrilling 26-20 victory over Wales in Cardiff. Although Italy have never beaten the French in the Six Nations, the hosts are keen to downplay the hype that surrounds them.

I hear the grand slam being talked about everywhere, among the journalists and among the public   -Thierry Dusautoir