It’s the final round of fixtures in the 2023 Women’s Six Nations campaign and Wales are looking to sign off in style when they travel to face Italy on Saturday.
Italy are mathematically safe from picking up the Wooden Spoon, but it looks unlikely they’ll be reeled in by bottom nation Ireland.
It would require Italy to lose and Ireland, who have lost all four games, to earn a bonus-point win over Scotland.
Wales, meanwhile, sit third in the table and they need just a point to guarantee their place in the top tier of World Rugby’s new WXV competition in the autumn.
Fourth-placed Scotland would need to beat bottom side Ireland with a bonus point and overturn a significant points difference to climb ahead of Wales.
Italy vs Wales Betting Tips
Team news
Italy head coach Giovanni Ranieri has made just one change to his XV following the loss to Scotland last time out.
Scrum-half Sara Berattin comes in to captain the side, with Sofia Stefan dropping to the bench.
Berattin has represented her country for the last 17 years and is Italy’s most capped player on 112 Tests but she will step into retirement after this encounter.
Wales have made five changes for their outing in Parma with the front row of Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu coming into the XV, while flanker Alex Callender returns to the back row.
Keira Bevan also comes in to start at scrum-half and wing Amelia Tutt looks set to make her debut from the bench.
There’s also a retirement on the cards for Wales as prop Carly Thomas, who has also been part of her national side for 17 years, brings an end to her career after what will be her 65th appearance, although that will be made from the bench.
Wales to win @ 5/4
Italy are ranked sixth in the world, two places above Wales, but a victory for the visitors by 15 points or more will see them take The Azzure’s place and secure their highest ever ranking.
History favours Italy in this fixture after losing just one of their last eight meetings with Wales – winning six and drawing 1 – but the only two games they’ve failed to win in that sequence have come at home.
Wales’ two wins in the 2023 Six Nations campaign have come against nations placed below them – Scotland and Ireland – and they make the trip full of confidence.
Wales +2.5 handicap @ 10/11
Sticking with the theme that Wales will prevail on the road, there’s value to be had in backing them with a +2.5 handicap.
Meetings between the pair have been closely fought in recent years. with no more than seven points separating them in each of the last four encounters.
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