Wales vs Italy Prediction and Betting Tips: Azzurri can add to Welsh woes

The 2024 Six Nations reaches a conclusion this weekend, with Wales against Italy in Cardiff kick-starting a feast of Test rugby across Europe.

Wales are without a win in the competition this year, while Italy head into this clash at the Principality Stadium on the back of a thrilling 31-29 victory over Scotland last time out.

Looking to avoid the wooden spoon, Wales will be desperate for the win, but it certainly won’t be easy against arguably the best Italy side there’s ever been.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Wales will see the end of an era on Saturday with George North confirming this will be his last game before international retirement.

The British & Irish Lions star, who has played in four World Cups for his country, will earn his 121st cap this weekend after being named alongside Nick Tompkins in a new centre partnership.

Head coach Warren Gatland has made a total of five changes from the side that suffered a 45-24 defeat to France in Cardiff last weekend, with Dillon Lewis and Alex Mann coming into the pack and skipper Daffydd Jenkins replacing Will Rowlands in the second-row.

As for Italy, the Azzurri will miss the electric Ange Cappuozzo at full-back after he suffered a fractured finger against the Scots.

Zebre star Lorenzo Pani will wear the No.15 jersey, while Carmarthen-born Stephen Varney comes in to start at scrum-half.

Lorenzo Cannone returns to the starting line-up to start at number eight, with Ross Vintcent dropping down to the bench.

Line-ups

Wales XV: Winnett; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Costelow, T Williams; Thomas, Dee, Lewis, Jenkins (capt), Beard, Mann, Reffell, Wainwright.

Replacements: E Lloyd, Mathias, H O'Connor, Rowlands, Martin, Hardy, I Lloyd, Grady.

Italy XV: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone. 
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Vintcent, Zuliani, Page-Relo, Marin.

Wales have conceded 119 points at an average of just under 30 points per game in this Six Nations so far.

With that in mind, Italy have the ability to cause another upset on Saturday in what should be a high-scoring shootout between these sides in Cardiff.

These are two sides in contrasting places in their development after the 2023 World Cup.

Italy have kicked on after a disappointing tournament and a 13-13 draw in France and victory over Scotland has seen significant improvement from this team.

Wales, on the other hand, have seen a number of a golden generation call time on their international careers and North will be the latest this weekend.

With the Welsh club sides struggling domestically, some tough years could lie ahead for the national side.

Italy will have taken great confidence from their win over the Scots and they know how to win in Wales after their 22-21 victory on their last visit to Cardiff.

The Azzurri will miss the magic of Capuozzo, but they have a settled side and a way of playing that should cause this Welsh defence problems.