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RBS NATION: Wales hope to make it three wins in a row

Morgan Parra passes the ball during training in Marcoussis, France, on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Wales aim to clinch a third successive victory for the first time in three years when they face Italy in the Six Nations today.

The dragons have made a sensational start to the championship under new coach Warren Gatland following victories over England and Scotland in the opening rounds.

That form has fueled a huge swell of optimism within the rugby-mad country following the disappointment of their early exit from the World Cup last autumn.

It was that embarrassment that led to the appointment of Gatland as coach, ironically after Italy's new coach Nick Mallett turned down an approach for the post having already committed himself to the Azzurri.

However Gatland must now face opponents who plagued his predecessors, hoping defeat will not mark the end of his honeymoon period with Wales. Steve Hansen and Gareth Jenkins both lost in Rome, in 2003 and last year respectively, while even Scott Johnson, a key part of the title-winning management team in 2005, could only manage an 18-18 draw in Cardiff the following year.

Gatland said: "We never underestimate any opponent and we will not start now. Italy have proved in the opening games they can cause teams plenty of problems and losing at home on Saturday would undo all the good work we did in the first two games."

"However I'm confident in the players we have selected and that we have got our preparations right. People have looked at the changes we have made but there is a lot of experience right across the team and we have been working very hard," he said.

Gatland may not be taking Italy lightly but has nevertheless made six changes to the team that beat Scotland 30-15 a fortnight ago, including both his half-backs, as he continues with his rotation policy, despite two wins.

British Lions flyhalf Stephen Jones starts for the first time in this Six Nations ahead of rising young star James Hook. Llanelli pair Dwayne Peel and Mark Jones are also re-called while Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Rhys Thomas form an all new front-row.

Tom Shanklin will win his 50th cap as will Italy prop Salvatore Perugini, one of four changes to the starting team that went down 23-19 to World Cup finalists England two weeks ago.

Injuries have denied Italy the pace of Kaine Robertson, goal-kicking of David Bortolussi and experience of Marco Bortolami, who starts on the bench, but exciting scrumhalf Simon Picone starts ahead of Pietro Travagli, flyhalf Andrea Marcato fills in as fullback while 21-year-old wing Alberto Sgarbi makes his full international debut.

Italy have never won in Wales but coach Mallett insists that will not be a factor.

He said: "I have never believed in history, everything changes. This year is a new year, new coach, new team. Wales have got a new coach, a new team. All that matters is what happens at the end of the game."
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