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Recap: Wales vs Italy LIVE | Guinness Six Nations

RugbyPass Live Match Centre

Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Italy at Principality Stadium. 

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Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).

Here are five talking points heading into the Principality Stadium encounter:

Wayne’s world set for its Six Nations premiere

It has been a long time in the production process, given that it was announced during the summer of 2018 that Wayne Pivac would succeed Warren Gatland as Wales head coach after the World Cup earlier this season.

That long-term succession planning by the Welsh Rugby Union has given Gatland’s fellow New Zealander important time to observe, but the serious business is about to begin as he takes centre-stage.

(Continue reading below…)

The team captains were out in force at the recent Guinness 2020 Six Nations launch

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Pace and power are the buzz words being bandied about regarding Pivac’s Wales, and while winning is everything, expect to be entertained in the process.

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Is Warren Gatland an impossible act to follow?

There is no doubt that Gatland elevated Wales to new and consistent heights during his 12-year reign, masterminding three Six Nations Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-final appearances. In doing so, he raised expectation levels among the fans to a level not seen since Welsh rugby’s 1970s glory days, so Pivac unquestionably is taking over from a revered and highly-successful figure.

But the Gatland era is now over, and Pivac must do things his way as the first Wayne Pivac, not a second Warren Gatland. Early signs on the training pitch and behind the scenes have proved extremely encouraging.

George North – the centre of attention

North has been a mainstay of Wales teams since making his debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in 2010. Eighty seven of his 91 Wales appearances so far have been on the wing, but he will start this season’s Six Nations at outside centre as Wales look to fill the vacancy created by Jonathan Davies’ long-term absence because of knee trouble.

North’s four previous Wales runs in midfield came in 2014 (twice), 2015 and 2018, and Pivac has handed him a key role alongside Hadleigh Parkes this weekend. If the positional switch works out well, it could see North gaining an an extended run there. It is a fascinating prospect.

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Wales’ back-row riches are the envy of many

Josh Navidi’s unfortunate hamstring injury will be a loss for Pivac, but his back-row selection task remains the nicest of headaches. Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and a fit-again Taulupe Faletau have won the vote this weekend, with World Cup starting number eight Ross Moriarty on the bench and the consistently-impressive Aaron Shingler not involved. With former Wales captain and openside flanker Sam Warburton now part of Wales’ coaching staff, it is an area of the team set to become even stronger.

Italy – the same old story?

“Lies, damned lies and statistics,” so the saying goes, but in Italy’s case, they are proven beyond doubt. They have had their moments and some famous victories, as all their Six Nations rivals apart from England can testify, but they have also collected the wooden spoon far too often and not won a Six Nations game since 2015.

In 20 previous Six Nations campaigns, Italy have finished last on 14 occasions. Their highest placing was fourth – achieved in 2007 and 2013 – and they start this season’s tournament without the greatest player in Italian rugby history as Sergio Parisse begins to wind down his Test career. It promises to be another struggle for the Azzurri.

WATCH: The Rugby Pod sets the scene ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and reflects on yet more Saracens fallout  

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SK 55 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

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