Conor O’Shea is ready for Italy’s “huge learning process” to continue when they tackle Six Nations opponents Wales on Sunday.
The Azzurri look set to finish bottom of the Six Nations table for a 13th time in 19 seasons, having suffered three successive defeats ahead of this weekend’s Cardiff clash and then hosting Scotland next Saturday.
But Italy boss O’Shea is undeterred as he continues with the job of what he calls “fixing Italian Rugby.”
They have had their moments this season, notably against England, and seen players like full-back Matteo Minnozzi and flanker Sebastian Negri leave an impressive mark on the tournament.
Ultimately, though, Italy have conceded 136 points and 18 tries across their three games, suggesting that another whitewash beckons.
“We have to perform to our maximum all the time and understand we will be under massive pressure,” O’Shea said.
“This is all part of a huge learning process with a huge group of young guys who will learn what’s needed. This isn’t the PRO14 – this is another level.
“I am really proud of the impact players like Matteo Minnozzi and Sebastian Negri and others have made during this championship.
“Piece by piece our job is fixing Italian Rugby, and piece by piece we are going to put together a side which will learn, which will get better and which will get fitter.
Toby Faletau is set to lead Wales for the first time.
“We will grow and grow. It isn’t easy, but if sport was easy then everybody would be able to do it.
“We will work on Sunday to see whether we can get ourselves into a position that an energy moment will go our way at the right time. And then you never know.”
Much has been made in some quarters of Wales head coach Warren Gatland making 10 changes for Italy’s visit, with flanker James Davies being handed a Test debut and centre
Owen Watkin and hooker Elliot Dee featuring for the first time in a Six Nations starting XV.
But Gatland has also called up three British and Irish Lions Test players in George North, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, who captains a Wales team seeking a 12th successive victory over Italy.
O’Shea added: “It’s great when you have got the ability to bring in that quality.
“And I am looking forward to watching Elliott Dee play because I’ve watched him playing for the Dragons and I really like him as a player.
“They are an outstanding side. Gats is such an intelligent bloke. He’s made changes, but the spine of the team is so strong.
“The spine the whole way through has a massive amount of experience. They will have no issues.”
The teams:
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau (c), 7 James Davies, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Bradley Davies, 4 Cory Hill, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Leigh Halfpenny
Italy: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Tommaso Castello, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Maxime Mbanda, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Dean Budd, 4 Alessandro Zanni, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Nicola Quaglio, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Giovanni Licata, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Jayden Hayward
Date: Sunday, March 11
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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