Wary Williams urges Welsh patience for Roman conquest

SHANE WILLIAMS has urged Wales to be patient in the pursuit of points that could underpin a successful RBS 6 Nations title defence.

Italy’s 2009 Six Nations campaign already lies in ruins following successive defeats against England, Ireland and Scotland, having crumbled under the weight of conceding 100 points and 12 tries.

Wales are widely expected to compound the misery for Azzurri head coach Nick Mallett, especially if the reigning Six Nations champions can unleash their renowned running game on inferior opponents.

Head coach Warren Gatland has challenged a new-look team — it shows nine changes and one positional switch from the side beaten by France two weeks ago — to give him a selection headache.

The immediate task for Wales is to complete a ruthless Italian job by not only winning, but improving a points difference that is currently inferior by 23 to Ireland’s.

“One of the key words we have spoken about is patience,” said Williams.

“Every time I have played Italy the first 20 minutes have been very intense. They come out with all guns blazing, and I expect the same on Saturday.

“If we can keep a lid on them in those opening minutes, be patient and go through our patterns, we hope the performance will bring the result we want.

“We are going to play this game like any other, by concentrating on us, going through the phases and doing what we do well.”

Williams needs two tries to haul level with Gareth Edwards, who holds a Wales-best 18 touchdowns in Five/Six Nations rugby.

Meanwhile, Italy coach Mallett has dismissed reports of a rift in the Azzurri camp ahead of the Wales clash.

Sections of the Italian media have suggested disharmony between senior players and Mallett, but he was quick to hit back.

He said: “If you are talking about speculation that the captain is not following the coach, or that the players are not following the captain, this is absolutely not true.

“There has been speculation. I’ve had a long talk to the staff and I’ve had a long talk to the captain.

“When you lose games, obviously people are looking for an excuse or a reason. Sometimes, the reason is just that we’ve made mistakes and were not good enough.”

Italy captain Sergio Parisse wants his team to reproduce the opening 20-minute display against Ireland last month, when the championship leaders were tested in all areas.

But defeat tomorrow would leave Italy facing the prospect of a Six Nations whitewash, given their final game is at home to France.

“I really believe in my team-mates,” said Parisse. “I think the level we’ve shown has not been our true level, but this is the beauty of sport — you always have another opportunity.

“Psychologically, the fact that we conceded a lot of points hurts, but tomorrow we hope to play like we did in the first 20 minutes against Ireland for the whole 80 minutes.”