Azzurre chasing important points for a final assault on third place
The Wales-Italy preview – ph. Federugby/Federugby/Charles McQuillan via Getty Images
The first match of the long Super Saturday of the 2024 women’s Six Nations begins in Cardiff, where ten thousand spectators will populate the stands of the Millennium Stadium to support Wales against Italy, although Ioan Cunningham’s girls will hardly be able to leave last place in the table.
It is the Azzurre’s last chance to grab third place. An opportunity that has not yet passed but which is not completely in the hands of the Italian athletes. In any case, a victory is needed, preferably with bonuses, on a field on which Italy won in 2022 and 2020.
Italy will finish third if one of the following three cases occurs: victory with bonus over Wales and Ireland victory without bonus over Scotland; victory with bonus over Wales and best points difference compared to Ireland, if they win with bonus over Scotland; win without bonus over Wales and best points difference compared to Ireland, if they win without bonus over Scotland.
The starting grid for the race for the lowest step of the podium sees the Italians with -72 points difference and Ireland with -74.
Read also: Richard Hodges, Zebre defense coach, towards the national team
Third place is not only worth the prestige of a noble position at the end of the Tournament, but also direct qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2023.
For Italy, however, everything does not begin and end with the question of third position in the rankings. A convincing performance and a victory in Cardiff are essential to close with confidence and enthusiasm a Tournament that has not been particularly satisfactory so far, with the exception of the victory in Ireland.
The Azzurre must demonstrate that they are capable of imposing their own game and not just playing throw-ins. The offensive qualities of the team are not in doubt, nor the defensive ability of a team that never gives up. What has been missing so far has been the ability to maintain possession and move up the pitch tactically.
Wales is not a simple test from this point of view: Lleucu George has an excellent right foot, among the best on display in the Tournament, and the third row trio of Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender and Georgia Evans are capable of polluting possession at the meeting points.
Read also: Wales-Italy live streaming of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations
The inclusion of Beatrice Capomaggi and the move to opener of Emma Stevanin, returning from an ankle problem, can be read in terms of greater tactical pragmatism on the part of Nanni Raineri and the rest of the staff.
Finally, applause goes to Lucia Gai. When the front line enters the field he will get his 100th cap in the national team shirt. An exceptional achievement for a player who has gone through more than one cycle in blue, always remaining a point of reference where the going is toughest. She will be the tenth player to reach the milestone of one hundred appearances in Italian rugby, both men’s and women’s, joining the small circle made up of Sara Barattin, Alessandro Troncon, Andrea Lo Cicero, Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Bortolami, Sergio Parisse, Mauro Bergamasco, Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini.
The game starts at 1.15pm and referee Aimee Barrett-Theron will give the kick-off.
Wales: 15 Jenny Hesketh, 14 Lisa Neumann, 13 Hannah Jones (c), 12 Hannah Bluck, 11 Carys Cox, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Natalia John, 5 Abbie Fleming, 6 Alisha Butchers, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Georgia Evans.
Available: 16 Kelsey Jones, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Kate Williams, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Niamh Terry, 23 Nel Metcalfe.
Italy: 15 Beatrice Capomaggi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Alyssa D’Incà, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan, 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Sara Seye , 4 Sara Tounesi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Ilaria Arrighetti, 7 Francesca Sgorbini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c)
Available: 16 Laura Gurioli, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Lucia Gai, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Isabella Locatelli, 21 Beatrice Veronese, 22 Veronica Madia, 23 Francesca Granzotto
onrugby.it © all rights reserved
Dear Readers,
OnRugby has been offering you free, timely, daily information on the world of the oval ball for over 10 years. Our work has a cost that is repaid by advertising, especially personalized advertising.
When you are offered information on the release of cookies or similar technologies, we ask you to support us by giving your consent.
