Warren Gatland's afternoon arrived in Rome on Thursday afternoon for a game that is ready to define whether or not he continues as a chief coach of Wales after these six nations, exchanging the Azur Cote bathed in the sun so it will be a battle of gladiators in the Italian capital.
Gatland and Wales simply have to win at the Olympic Stadio, by Hook or Crook, since they seem late a record of 13 consecutive international losses.
But before the fundamental shock of the rounding championship, Gatland sought to minimize its importance, perhaps as a way of trying not to overload the pressure on its young team.
The former half -columnist and the mail sport of Wales, Dan Biggar, described the game of Italy as “the largest in Welsh rugby during the last 15 or 20 years.”
Biggar added: 'I'm not saying that cheerful. It is a great, huge game.
Despite the fact that his position will surely be completed by the junction of Welsh rugby with a fourteenth consecutive defeat, Gatland did not agree with his former player.
Talismanic No 8 Taulupe Faletau returns for Wales' for the first time from the World Cup
Warren Gatland will surely lose its job if the wrapping streak of Wales extends to 14 games
Dan Biggar says that the game against Italy is 'the largest in Welsh rugby during the last 15 or 20 years'
'It is definitely not the biggest game in Wales in the last 20 years. It's an important game for us, “Gatland said.
'We are aware that we have other difficult games in this competition. We are desperate to get a victory. That is the most important thing.
Gatland has trained Wales in Grand Slam Deciders and two World Cup semifinals, so it is no stranger to the greatest occasions of rugby.
A battle in the basement of the six nations has not been the usual patio of recreation of the Neozylelands over the years, but now it is where he and Wales are found. Its decline has been as fast as it has been alarming. Turning the corner will not be quick or direct.
That said, a Welsh victory this weekend would bring back a factor of feeling good that has been missing for some time. Surprisingly, Wales has not won a test since October 7, 2023.
His only victories between then and today have arrived in no limits against the barbaric reds and Queensland. So, it is not surprising that Wales want a victory and I want it a lot.
“I would simply get the monkey out of the back, a confidence would grow, and then the players can put their shoulders again and stand a little higher,” Gatland said.
'I know how difficult they are working and try. They are desperate to obtain that victory.
Wales fights to contain the French attack during his humiliating defeat for 43-0 in Paris
Italy, meanwhile, showed promising moments during his defeat by 31-19 in Scotland
Scarlets Center Eddie James will make his international debut at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday
The reason why this Italy game feels so decisive for Wales is because it will not only be a campaign definition, but will also affect the future travel direction of the national side.
He loses, and a second six consecutive nations without victories would be probable. In such a scenario, the career without victories of Wales would extend to 17 games. The subsequent impact of that would mean falling below the classifications of World Rugby and, once again, the bad money of the championship.
At that time, it would be difficult to escape from Gatland's position would be unsustainable.
If Wales is defeated by Italy on Saturday and Georgia, as expected, he beat the Netherlands in Rugby Europe, then Gatland's side will fall from 11 to 12 in the classification.
In 2019, they were, although briefly, not 1.
For Italy, Wales can welcome Taulupe Faletau after a week of training in Nice. The iconic No 8 has not played for his country since the last time they won an international. He has had a cruel and cruel luck with injuries, but is in form after a knee problem to start in Rome.
At 34 and with 104 Caps of Wales, Faletau is in the twilight of his international career, although his class and experience are indisputable. Its beginning in Rome is a great impulse for Gatland.
So is the presence of another forward in Aaron Wainwright, who begins as a replacement, after he recovered from an unpleasant facial cut suffered against France.
“The way it is trained has been good,” Gatland said about his key No 8 Faletau.
'It is a real reinforcement of trust. He brings experience and probably a little factor X. We know what an outstanding player has been in the past for Wales. He has not had many games in recent years. But just having it back gives everyone a lot of confidence.
'He was not right last week. It has been difficult for him and has been difficult with the wounds he has had in the last issue of years. We are looking for some of those special features that you have to take us to the front foot and, hopefully, inspire those around it. ''
Faletau lost the 43-0 round hammer of France, but it is one of the two changes in the initial XV for Italy. The other is the inclusion of the center of Heavyweight Scarlets Eddie James, 22. Gatland expects both players to meet the transport capacity of their team.
Wales' last victory in the six nations was in Italy in 2023, but the Azzurri have won two of the last three meetings between the two parties and are favorites of probabilities for the last renewal.
Such scenario is an unusual position for Italy to be, but its progression, as well as the decline of Wales, means that they deserve that label.
However, it is still the case that Italy has never won a two -round game in the six nations.
'We are all aware as a staff of how we are positive and remove the pressure of the players in terms of young men? They are very aware of the situation in which they are and are desperate to leave and work well, 'Gatland said.
'I looked at some of the people last week and gave us everything. They really struggled a lot. We need the bounce of the ball and a little luck, which would help. But you have to remain as positive as possible. For us as coaches, we need to remain calm and allow players to leave and express it. ''
Italy: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuzzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Realo; Danilo Fiscrti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (Capt), Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Luca Rizzoli, Lucchi Rizzoli, Lu Marluani Zuliani, Rifle Z Vetter Gifts Trave Libra
Welsh: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomas Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (Capt), Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assireti, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Kick off: 2.15pm, Saturday. Olympic stadium, Rome
TV: ITVV