ITALY coach John Kirwan has warned Wales to prepare themselves for a gladiatorial battle this afternoon when the teams meet in the second round of Six Nations matches.

Alessandro Troncon will extend his record as the most capped player when Italy host Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash at the Flaminio stadium.

Italian winger Gonzalo Canale will miss Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales due to a left shoulder injury.

The Wales camp are confident Gavin Henson will not be fazed by the superstar status he assumed following his match-winning performance against England in Saturday’s opening RBS 6 Nations opener.

Italy have vowed to give England a baptism of fire in their first competitive match as world champions when the RBS 6 Nations tournament kicks off this weekend.

WALES captain Jonathan Humphreys has been ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship showdown with France in Paris, almost certainly ending his international career.

Ireland is ahead again in Flaminio stadium.