Jones backs Ospreys whizkid Prydie to shine

WALES captain Ryan Jones has backed teenage record-breaker Tom Prydie to seize his moment when he “lives the dream” today.

At 18 years and 25 days, Ospreys wing Prydie will become the youngest player in Welsh international rugby history, breaking a record which has stood since 1888.

Despite making just three Ospreys appearances, Wales coach Warren Gatland has seen enough of Prydie in training to start him against RBS Six Nations opponents Italy at the Millennium Stadium.

“It is a huge accolade for him to be the youngest player ever to play for Wales,” said Jones, who is recalled by Gatland, together with his fellow fit-again British and Irish Lions Mike Phillips and Gethin Jenkins.

“But he has trained superbly, he’s grown in this environment and I think he is going to do very well.

“Hopefully, we can get him into the game early on our terms and just let him play.

“I think his attitude is first class. He is only a young kid but he has shown a maturity beyond his years.

“He’s a fantastic athlete, his understanding on a rugby level has been superb. There has been very few mistakes and he deserves his chance.

“He is going to live the dream. I told him to enjoy the whole week, everything that comes with it, and make sure it is a day for him to remember.

Wales desperately need to a convincing performance, following defeats to England, France and Ireland, and they average 40 points and more than four tries a game at home to Italy in the Six Nations.

Italy are trying to learn from the mistakes that led to their 46-20 defeat to France last weekend.

“We missed tackles against France and guys made the wrong decisions,” Italy out-half Craig Gower said. “It is a short turnaround to rectify that.

“We go into every match looking to win it and we have to improve as a team.

“Wales use a rush-style league defence. Every defence is breakable and it comes down to controlling the ball. They have conceded 10 tries this Six Nations.

“But it is more about ourselves and we have to work out ways of cracking their defence.”

Italy coach Nick Mallett has been forced to make several changes to his squad. Fly-half Andrea Masi is out with a back injury and lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava and Paul Derbyshire miss out due to muscular problems.

Gloucester forward Marco Bortolami will start instead of Del Fava, with Josh Sole packing down in the back-row after Derbyshire was sidelined.