Wales and Italy seek to end Six Nations on high

ROME - Wales will seek to end their truncated Six Nations campaign with a convincing win on Monday against an Italian side who will settle for any kind of victory - convincing or not.

The Welsh come to Rome buoyed by their inspiring 43-35 win in Paris last month, which eased the pain of the 44-15 loss to England in Cardiff in their first match.

Their clash against Ireland has been postponed until the next European season, because of the foot-and-mouth crisis in Britain, and Monday's match against Italy represents a chance to end a mixed Six Nations campaign on a high.

Coach Graham Henry has picked the same team who beat the French on March 17 and scrumhalf Rob Howley and right wing Gareth Thomas will win their 50th caps at the Flaminio stadium.

The Italians vowed to win at least two of their five Six Nations matches this season, but have so far lost all four - against Ireland, England, France and Scotland.

However, the narrowness of their 23-19 defeat at Murrayfield on March 17 against a Scottish side which had drawn with Wales two weeks previously, suggested Brad Johnstone's men have enough fight in them to avoid a tournament whitewash.

Johnstone's job is on the line and the New Zealander needs a solid performance to convince the Italian Rugby Federation that he is the man to lead Italy into the next World Cup.

"Italy will be tough in Rome," Henry said. "They are improving all the time and went close to beating Scotland at Murrayfield in their last championship match.

"They also gave both Ireland and France something to think about so we know we are going to have to be at our best.

"Italy will be desperate to avoid a whitewash this season and we expect them to give our confidence and organisation a thorough examination in Rome."

Wales have not lost to Italy in their seven previous meetings, Thomas scoring a Welsh record-equalling four tries when Wales won 60-21 in Treviso two years ago.

In last year's Six Nations, the Welsh hammered the Italians 47-16 in Cardiff.

Swansea flanker Geraint Lewis has withdrawn from the squad after failing to recover from a shoulder injury and will be replaced on the bench by uncapped Gavin Thomas.

The Italians, who had an audience with Pope John Paul at the Vatican on Wednesday and presented him with a signed rugby ball, have yet to name their starting line-up.

They are still without first choice scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon and back-up Juan Manuel Queirolo.

Johnstone is expected to field Matteo Mazzantini behind the scrum alongside flyhalf Diego Dominguez.

- REUTERS

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