Wales vs Italy, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, odds today
Wales this afternoon host Italy on Six Nations Super Saturday as both look to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Warren Gatland’s side go into the first game of the final round of fixtures sitting rock bottom of the table with only three bonus points to their name so far after a 45-24 home defeat by France last weekend.
There have been undoubted signs of encouraging progress from a young Welsh team during the competition so far, but it has not translated into results and they will now be desperate to avoid a first winless Six Nations campaign since 2003.
They host an Italy team who have made fantastic early strides under new head coach Gonzalo Quesada following their World Cup embarrassment in France in the autumn, stunning Scotland last time out for their first home Six Nations win for 11 years - and only their second in the competition since 2015.
And the Azzurri really should be celebrating back-to-back massive upset victories, having come within the width of a post of a last-gasp win over France in Lille in a heartbreaking game that ended in a 13-13 draw. It is the first time since 2011 that Italy have gone unbeaten in back-to-back Six Nations matches.
Italy are four points ahead of Wales as things stand and will be confident of repeating their 2022 heroics in Cardiff, where it will be an emotional occasion as George North makes his 121st and final Wales appearance after announcing his retirement from Test rugby aged 31 on Wednesday.
Wales vs Italy date, kick-off time and venue
Wales vs Italy is the first match of Six Nations Super Saturday, kicking off at 2:15pm GMT today.
The game will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How to watch Wales vs Italy
TV channel: Saturday’s game will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 1:45pm.
Proceedings are also being shown live on Welsh-language channel S4C from 1:30pm.
Live stream: A free rugby live stream service will also be available online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Wales vs Italy team news
Wales have made four changes to the team that started against France, with North starting on his Test farewell having been a surprising omission last weekend.
He resumes his familiar centre partnership with Saracens’ Nick Tompkins as Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin are replaced.
Will Rowlands drops to the bench as captain Dafydd Jenkins moves back into the second row, with Alex Mann lining up at blindside flanker.
In the front row, Keiron Assiratti is replaced by Dillon Lewis at tighthead prop, with Scarlets’ Harri O'Connor set for his senior Wales debut off the bench.
Italy have been hit by the key absence of Ange Capuozzo, who is nursing a broken finger as Lorenzo Pani gets the nod at full-back instead.
Lorenzo Cannone is back at No8 in place of Exeter’s Ross Vintcent, while Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney comes in for Martin Page-Relo.
Wales vs Italy lineups
Wales XV: Winnett; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Costelow, T Williams; Thomas, Dee, Lewis; Jenkins (c), Beard; Mann, Reffell, Wainwright
Replacements: E Lloyd, Mathias, O'Connor, Rowlands, Martin, Hardy, I Lloyd, Grady
Italy XV: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Vintcent, Zuliani, Page-Relo, Marin
Wales vs Italy head to head (h2h) history and results
Italy won on their last visit to Cardiff in 2022, claiming their first-ever victory away in Wales as Edoardo Padovani’s last-gasp try made by Capuozzo and converted by Paolo Garbisi ended their long seven-year, 36-game run without a Six Nations triumph.
Wales had won 16 in a row against Italy before that, losing only in Rome in 2007 and 2003, while also being held to a draw in Cardiff in 2006.
Wales wins: 28
Italy wins: 3
Draws: 1
Wales vs Italy prediction
Italy’s superb win over Scotland should give them real confidence of avoiding a ninth successive Six Nations wooden spoon as they seek to finish off the bottom of the table for the first time since 2015.
There seemed a danger that Garbisi’s last-gasp missed penalty that denied them the biggest upset in tournament history against France in Lille could produce a hangover, but they quickly shrugged off the disappointment to produce some truly magical scenes at the Stadio Olimpico.
They would prefer this game was also at home of course, but the Azzurri have tasted recent success in Cardiff and an oft-intimidating Principality Stadium will hold no fear this time around.
Rebuilding Wales, though, should be incredibly motivated to avoid a first Six Nations whitewash since 2003 and end a damaging run of 11 losses in their last 12 games in the competition.
If they can play like they did in a pulsating first half against France, then Gatland’s inexperienced side should give the great George North a rousing send-off.
Wales to win, by 10 points.
Wales vs Italy match odds
Wales to win: 4/11
Italy to win: 12/5
Draw: 22/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
