- Wales began his Six nations campaign losing 43-0 against France in Paris
- The biggest game of the second Gatland period as chief coach on the horizon
Warren Gatland and his Wales players have been invited to spend time with Prince Albert in Monaco during his stay on the coast of Azur this week.
But with the biggest game of the second Gatland period as chief coach on the horizon, a real visit should not be allowed to distract from the task in question.
Before the creak of the six nations on Saturday with Italy in Rome, Wales is training in Nice, to a short train trip from Monaco.
The objective is to concentrate completely in their mass meeting with the Azzurri, far from what the chief coach Gatland believes that it is the pressure of being at home.
A meeting with Prince Albert will be a moment of light relief and it is true that getting away from rugby for a minute or two will benefit young Wales players, especially with the team in a record test losing the streak of 13 games. That simply has to end in Rome. Italy is victories or bust for Gatland and Wales.
It's huge, right? We said it in the locker room after the game, 'said Wales Josh Adams after the 43-0 hammer of his team by France on Friday.
'We have to be much better in certain areas. Italy is a very good side. They have good continuity. They have 12 and 13 that have played a lot together with Benetton.
Warren Gatland and his Wales players have been invited to spend time with Prince Albert
'They have some dangerous runners in their three backs, their pack seems cohesive and now they have been together during a couple of campaigns. They are a very improved team.
'The teams probably do not give credit for how physical they are. It will be another battle, especially in advance. There are areas in which we must improve, especially with
The ball.
Adams (right) is one of the most experienced members of this Wales squad, which is dominated by young people. In 2019, he played in a decisive of Grand Slam while Gatland's men beat Ireland to claim a clean sweep.
Many believe that Saturday's game is equally large for Wales, although in a different way, especially since the result can decide whether Gatland remains as a chief coach.
“It's the wrong end of the table, unfortunately,” Adams said. 'We understand the career in which we have been. They are 13 now. We want that to stop and we are working tirelessly to do so. It is a great game for us, we understand it. Not many people have given us any hope in this campaign and we will try to use it for our benefit.
“Nice will be a very good opportunity for us to stay tight and try to motivate us to have a great performance.”
In the defeat of seven attempts against France in Paris, Wales lost the key forward of the Row Aaron Wainwright for an unpleasant facial injury and the concern is that he has suffered a fractured cheekbone.
The biggest game of the second period of Warren Gatland as chief coach on the horizon
With the partner No 8 Taulupe Faletau fighting with a knee problem, one that forced him to lose the game of France, Gatland has concerns in the back of the Scrum. Taine Plumtree and Ospreys Morgan Morris and Morgan Morse's duo are possible calls.
The Owen Watkin center suffered a serious knee injury against France and will not play again in this championship. There is a good possibility that Wainwright is on the same boat.
Wales has a central cover in Joe Roberts and Eddie James, but there must be a temptation for Gatland to get on the powerful midfielder Max Llewellyn, even if doing so meant to eat a humble cake after the New Zealander left him out of his initial team .
Adams admitted that he remained “destructed” by the nature of France's defeat, but Cardiff deserves credit to face after such a result. 'It is never good to be related. I can never question anyone's commitment to this team, '' he said.
'I know that whoever puts the shirt will give you your right arm or right leg to this side. I would do it too. I go out and I don't give anything but the best every time. But there are many children learning at work.
Italy was defeated from 31-19 by Scotland in its inaugural party of the six nations, but they are the favorites to overcome Wales with advantage in the home.
Italy won in Cardiff last year.
In 2023, Wales triumphed in the Olympic Stadio, but that, notably, was his last victory in the six nations.
The duck simply has to break in Rome on Saturday.