The countdown now begins in earnest. Wales against England in Cardiff a week on Saturday will be some encounter. Warren Gatland insists the visitors will be the ones under pressure.
A second-string Wales featuring 10 changes produced a disjointed display to edge past Italy in Rome. The result was predictable, the performance less so. Wales were far from their best but are 11 games unbeaten, equalling the country’s longest winning streak, set in 1910.
The chance to become statistically the best Wales side of all time comes against England, and Gatland said: “We have probably helped ourselves a little bit by not playing as well as we could have against Italy. As a result everyone will start talking England up.
Wales given big fright by Italy before gaining 11th straight win
“Sometimes it’s easier to help motivate yourself if that does happen. I thought the performance against Ireland was the best I have seen from an England team in the last five years.
“Tactically, they were outstanding. Before the start of the tournament everyone thought the decider might come down to that last game with Ireland but obviously now there are just two of us still in the chance for a grand slam.
“There will be no lack of motivation and it will be electric in the Principality Stadium. Once you are on a run like this you don’t want it to go.
“The nice thing is we have two weeks together in the buildup to the match and we are excited about it. It will be good for this group of players, but we have a few things to work on.”
Gatland’s big guns – mostly rested here – will return. On Saturday, Wales’s back row of Aaron Wainwright, Thomas Young and Josh Navidi excelled but there was little to write home about otherwise. Wales led 12-7 at the interval but should have been further clear.
The changes made by Gatland meant the new line up lacked cohesion. Dan Biggar kicked four penalties and Italy crossed through Braam Steyn on their only attack.
The second half was as tight. Wales did not look like losing but could not pull clear. In the end, Gatland unloaded his bench. Josh Adams finished off a neat lineout move and Owen Watkin collected a Gareth Anscombe kick to score his first Test try. Italy’s Edoardo Padovani grabbed a late consolation.
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Gatland warned his team it could get embarrassing if they repeat this display against England. That is unlikely. The return of the first-choice XV should see to that, though their lineout will have to improve after it spluttered here.
Wales have lost their past four matches against England, since the 2015 World Cup. “Things are in our own hands with two big home games to come,” Gatland said.
Navidi was man of the match on Saturday but will likely switch back from No 8 to flanker. “England is always going to be built up as the big match of the Six Nations,” he said. “This is a new competition and we have to look forward and focus on that rather than the past.
“It wasn’t a good performance against Italy but a win is a win and we have to take confidence from the fact we can see games out.”
Italy have lost their past 19 Six Nations games. They were committed but they do not seem to know how to win. Their head coach, Conor O’Shea, said: “We will not give up. It’s bloody difficult to be here the whole time, but we are working hard. Any time we do anything remotely good it’s the other team’s fault.”