‘No pressure’ on Wales in their bid for shock Six Nations silverware

Andrew Baldock 03:59 21/03/2015
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  • The Italian Job: Wales wing Liam Williams (r) is relaxed about today’s match.

    Liam Williams insists there is “no pressure” on Wales when they target a memorable comeback triumph in this season’s Six Nations title race.

    Just six weeks after losing at home to England following a second-half implosion when they failed to score a point, Wales could be crowned Six Nations champions for the third time in four years on Saturday.

    The odds, though, are against them, given their inferior points difference compared with leaders England and second-placed Ireland.

    Wales, realistically, need to secure a landslide win against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in the opening game of so-called Super Saturday, and hope it is enough, but a victory of any description would suffice if France topple England at Twickenham and Scotland see off Murrayfield visitors Ireland.

    Wales did it the hard way two years ago, being beaten by Ireland before reeling off successive victories over France, Italy and Scotland, then crushing England by a recordbreaking 30-3 scoreline to take the title.

    “The first priority for us is to get the win,” Wales wing Williams said. “Hopefully, we will be able to stick some points on them in the secondhalf, but before we do anything we need to come out on the right side of the scoreboard.

    “In the first-half, we will kick our goals, then after the break we will see if it’s OK to open up. There is no pressure on us. We are on first to play, we will go out there, do the business and then sit back and watch the other matches.

    “It would be huge (to win the title) for Wales, heading towards the World Cup. All we can do is try to do our bit against Italy, and then keep our fingers crossed.”

    Wales put themselves in the silverware mix courtesy of a stunning win against Ireland last weekend, when their stirring defensive performance was highlighted by Williams and company setting a new Six Nations record of 250 tackles.

    Attacking-wise, Wales have scored five tries in four games – all by backs, but none from wings Williams and George North – with full-back Leigh Halfpenny contributing more than 50 of their points through his precision goal-kicking.

    Meanwhile, Leonardo Ghiraldini has urged Italy to “keep believing” when they tackle title contenders Wales without their captain and world-class number eight Sergio Parisse.

    A foot injury suffered during last weekend’s 29-0 home defeat against France has sidelined Parisse from Italy’s final game of the Six Nations campaign.

    Leicester hooker Ghiraldini will take the armband at Stadio Olimpico in his absence, with Italy looking for a victory that would shred this season’s Six Nations form-book.

    “Sergio is one of the best number eights in the world,” Ghiraldini said. “Of course he’s a big loss for us, but at the same time, it’s an opportunity for others to take responsibility.

    “There will be moments of pressure, but we must keep our mentality for every second. We can still play a good game without Sergio.”

    Italy have scored just three points in their two Six Nations home games this season, while they were thumped 52-11 by England in their final match of last term’s tournament.

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