Italy vs Wales Prediction: Azzurri to add to Welsh woes

In a battle that could well have major impact on the destination of the dreaded wooden spoon, Italy are Wales go head-to-head in the Six Nations at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday (14:15, ITV1)

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Italy vs Wales prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for this showdown in Rome.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Beginning with the hosts, Italy start with Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera and Danilo Fischetti in the front row, with locks Federico Ruzza and Niccolo Cannone in the engine room.

Skipper Michele Lamaro is accompanied by Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone in the back row, while Marin Page-Relo and Paolo Garbisi are retained in the half-backs.

The formidable partnership of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex start again in the centres, with Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane and Tommaso Allan making up the back three.

As for the visitors, Wales go with Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas in the front row, with locks Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins in behind.

Taulupe Faletau adds experience to the back row, with flankers James Botham and skipper Jac Morgan either side.

Tomos Williams and Ben Thomas are the half-backs, with Eddie James and Nick Tompkins in the centres.

Full-back Liam Williams is joined in the back three by Josh Adams and Tom Rogers.

Italy vs Wales Odds

Italy are the 2/5 favourites to win on Saturday, while Wales are 21/10 to claim an important victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

A draw on the day is available at 20/1, while Italy to be leading at the half-time and full-time whistles are at 5/6.

Italy -8 handicap @ 11/10

Confidence in the Wales camp will have been bruised after that 43-0 defeat at the hands of France on the opening night of the 2025 Six Nations.

Few expected Wales to cause a shock at the Stade de France, but failing to land a real punch or register a score against Les Bleus sums up where this Welsh side are at this moment.

Things are likely to get worse before they get better for this new generation of Wales internationals and Saturday could be another difficult experience for this group.

Italy have won two of their last three meetings with Wales, but surprisingly both of those came in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium.

The Azzurri will be determined to make it back-to-backs wins over the Welsh this weekend and earn a first victory over the men in red in Rome since 2007.

Italy will need to improve significantly on their performance against Scotland last weekend, as the Azzurri failed to play any rugby in the Scots’ half until late on in the 31-19 defeat at Murrayfield.

Head coach Gonzalo Quesada will be pleased with how his side were able to eek penalties out of Scotland with their defence, but will be looking for much more from his players with ball in hand.

Backed by a passionate crowd at the Stadio Olimpico and with a pack that can put real pressure on the Welsh forwards, Italy are well priced to not only win on Saturday, but fall on the right side of the handicap in Rome.

Offers

Six Nations (31/01 – 15/03): Get double the odds if your winning First Tryscorer bet scores a 2^nd in all Six Nations matches.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights