Wales seek first Six Nations win as they take on buoyant Italy side

Steve Tandy has named an unchanged Wales XV to take on Italy in the final game of the 2026 Six Nations.

Wales go into the clash, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, winless in this year’s competition – but Tandy’s men have seen a sharp improvement in form over the last two games.

Following heavy defeats away to England and at home to France, Wales impressed in a narrow defeat 26-23 to Scotland in Cardiff – and put in another strong performance in last week’s loss to Ireland.

Italy go into the game full of confidence, having claimed their first ever Six Nations victory over England last weekend in Rome.

Ahead of the game on Saturday March 14, Tandy said: “Having an unchanged team, I think it reflects the cohesion and the consistency in the group and the consistency of performance out in Ireland.

“This week we need to go up another level. We’ve had some really good performances. I think there were parts against France, then we built up into the Scotland game where I thought we were very good. Against Ireland we stepped up to the plate physically.

“Now it’s putting it all together and creating our best performance this weekend.”

Looking forward to playing in front of the home fans, Tandy said: “For the team and myself, going back to Principality Stadium is amazing. The boys did really well creating their own energy against Ireland, but there’s nothing better [than being at home].

“The boys reference in meetings what the Scotland game meant to them and the French game, the New Zealand game – the fans have been incredible and I think they’re really behind the team and the team are really putting in performances to represent our nation.”

Lineups

Wales

• 15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears)
• 14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets)
• 13. Eddie James (Scarlets)
• 12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets)
• 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby)
• 10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys)
• 9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)

• 1. Rhys Carre (Saracens)
• 2. Dewi Lake (C) (Ospreys)
• 3. Thomas Francis (Provence Rugby)
• 4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
• 5. Ben Carter (Dragons)
• 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby)
• 7. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby)
• 8. Aaron Wainright (Dragons)

Subs

• 16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
• 17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)
• 18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby)
• 19. Adam Beard (Montpellier)
• 20. Ollie Cracknell (Leicester Tigers)
• 21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys)
• 22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins)
• 23. Blair Murray (Scarlets)

Italy

• 15. Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma)
• 14. Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby)
• 13. Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon)
• 12. Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby)
• 11. Monty Ioane (Lyon)
• 10. Paolo Garbisi (Toulon)
• 9. Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma)

• 1. Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints)
• 2. Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Francais)
• 3. Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Rugby)
• 4. Niccolo Cannone (Benetton Rugby)
• 5. Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby)
• 6. Michele Lamaro (C) (Benetton Rugby)
• 7. Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby)
• 8. Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby)

Subs

• 16. Tommaso di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma)
• 17. Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby)
• 18. Giosue Zilocchi (Benetton Rugby)
• 19. Riccardo Favretto (Benetton Rugby)
• 20. David Odiase (Zebre Parma)
• 21. Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs)
• 22. Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby)
• 23. Tommaso Allan (Perpignan)