Wales have received a massive boost ahead of their bid for Six Nations glory with Italy’s inspirational captain Sergio Parisse sitting out the encounter at Rome’s Stadio Olympico with a foot injury. Should England, Ireland or both win, they could still pinch the title on points difference but it would probably take a bumper victory over Italy.
To gather an insight into the minds of the two sets of fans we asked UAE club rugby players from the respective countries to share with us their predictions and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
LUCA MENE – ABU DHABI SARACENS (ITALY)
In the second-half their scrum killed us, and that is an area of the game that is traditionall Italy's weapon. It was probably Italy's worst-ever performance at home.
Wales are strong in all areas of the game with a great scrum and a good backline and we will need our scrum to be back to its best in order to contain such a good team.
ITALY LINE-UP: L McLean; L Sarto, L Morisi, A Masi, G Venditti; K Haimona, E Gori; M Rizzo, L Ghiraldini (capt), M Castrogiovanni, G Biagi, J Furno, F Minto, S Vunisa, M Bergamasco.
PREDICTION: I think Wales will win by twenty.
IAN HUGHES – ABU DHABI SARACENS (WALES)
It is obvious that the defence was absolutley oustanding and it was good to see that we broke them a few times in attack.
Italy have got a mean scrum. (Martin) Castrogiovanni at prop is a seasoned international and they also have the talisman of Italian rugby in Sergio Parisse who is a very good player.
It is never easy playing in Italy and Wales have come a cropper in the last few years playing out there.
We have major injuries and a World Cup coming up and I think Gatland may have to swallow his pride and pick up his phone to Adam Jones.
WALES LINE-UP: L Halfpenny, G North, J Davies, J Roberts, L Williams; D Biggar, R Webb; R Evans, S Baldwin, A Jarvis, L Charteris, AW Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton (capt), T Faletau.
PREDICTION: I think Wales will win comfortably by 20 points. I think Ireland will take the title.
