Gatland: Italy deserve respect

WALES coach Warren Gatland insists Italy deserve to be treated with more respect — and he has been drumming home that message to his players all week.

The Azzurri have arrived in Cardiff for today’s (3pm) Millennium Stadium showdown on the back of two narrow defeats to Ireland and England.

Gatland does not believe Italy were given due credit for their performances, and Wales know from bitter first-hand experience that underestimating the Azzurri is a dangerous business.

Wales have not beaten Italy since the 2005 grand slam campaign, having been held to an 18-18 draw at the Millennium Stadium two years ago and defeated 23-20 in Rome last year.

“People have talked about the poor performances of Ireland and England, but let’s start giving the Italians some credit,” said Gatland.

“Lots of their players play in France and are doing really well. They have been in this tournament for a number of years now. Let’s expect them to start finishing higher up the table.

“How many years did it take France before they managed to compete well in what was the Five Nations?”

Gatland guided Wales to victories over England and Scotland.

A shot at the triple crown awaits them in Ireland in a fortnight, but Gatland has been drilling home the message that nothing matters beyond this weekend.

Wales have not won three straight games since that 2005 grand slam campaign — and Gatland insists that is their only focus.

“You only have to look at the results of the last two years — a loss and a draw. If you underestimate these guys, particularly with the experience they have, you will be caught short,” said Gatland.

Wales have made six changes from the win over Scotland, including key decisions in the front row and half-backs — where he has brought in new units.

Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel get their first starts of the campaign after coming off the bench against Scotland and guiding Wales to victory.

Gethin Jenkins, hooker Matthew Rees and the inexperienced Rhys Thomas start in a new front-row combination.

Meanwhile Italy coach Nick Mallett has replaced Pietro Travagli at scrum-half with Simon Picone and brought Salvatore Perugini into the front row for dropped prop Andrea Lo Cicero.

Perugini will win his 50th cap, with lock Santiago Dellape and centre Mirco Bergamasco also set to notch a half-century of Tests.

Treviso’s Picone is rewarded for his good cameo in the 23-19 loss to England in Rome last time out, scoring Italy’s only try.

Andrea Marcato comes in for Bortolussi, who has a shoulder injury, at full-back while Alberto Sgarbi replaces Robertson on the wing.

Lock Bortolami missed the Azzurri’s first two Six Nations games because of a fractured eye socket, but proved his fitness in Gloucester’s 29-26 defeat at Bristol on Sunday.

Despite last year’s win in the Stadio Flaminio, Bortolami says Italy know the task that awaits them on Saturday.

“Wales will be a big challenge for us because they are better in Cardiff than away from home,” Bortolami said.

“They have a wonderful back-line and are strong all across the park. After the match we will see where we are.”

Mallett added: “Wales are one of the best attacking teams in the competition along with France.

“They’ve always been very good on the attack and they’ve improved their defence a lot as well.”