Steve Tandy will be considering a couple of changes ahead of the final game against Italy
Performances have improved drastically over the past couple of Test matches, but Wales head coach Steve Tandy needs to end the Six Nations with a victory over Italy to show true progress.
Tandy and his backroom team will ponder whether to make changes or not ahead of the high-flying Azzurri’s visit to Cardiff this Saturday. Wales’ performances have been improving, and there is a strong argument that consistency is what is needed.
The likes of Alex Mann, Rhys Carre, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright and Eddie James have improved as the Championship has progressed. They deserve another opportunity against Italy.
Even though Wales haven’t won a game, they will feel they have some momentum after two positive performances.
Nevertheless, Tandy may well tinker with his matchday 23 in a bid to avoid a third successive wooden spoon in the Six Nations.
If Sam Costelow recovers from an ankle injury he sustained in the second-half of Wales’ 26-23 defeat to Scotland, Tandy has a big decision to make at outside-half.
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His game management was assured, his distribution crisp and his kicking game varied and intelligent.
But Dan Edwards has been a regular in the number 10 shirt under Tandy and recovered well after a shaky start against Ireland.
Edwards was defensively exposed early on at the Aviva Stadium when Jacob Stockdale ran straight through the Ospreys star for the opening try. But he recovered with maturity and remains an accomplished all-round playmaker.
Tandy must now decide whether to reward Costelow’s form or maintain faith in the player who has started much of the campaign.
The other area where Tandy may look to freshen up is the back-three.
He is unlikely to move Louis Rees-Zammit away from full-back, but he might be tempted to make a change on the wing.
Josh Adams is a solid player but lacks the attacking threat of old. Furthermore, his wayward pass to James Botham in the Ireland 22 last Friday night probably cost Wales a try.
Both Adams and Ellis Mee are a safe pair of hands, defensively and under the high ball, but is that enough? Wales arguably need a little more pace and a cutting edge out wide.
Blair Murray was dropped from the starting XV after becoming a regular at full-back because he got exploited under the high ball in the autumn.
But the Scarlets man offers some zip in attack with his electric footwork and pace, coupled with his decision-making.
However, in Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh, the Azzurri have two very powerful and explosive wingers, so Wales will need to be on their mettle defensively.
Mason Grady might also be considered due to his size and explosive power, because Italy have a very physical backline.
But Tandy will not want to shake up the team too much and disturb combinations which have been growing nicely over the past two rounds of fixtures.
If Wales are to leave this championship with tangible evidence of progress, they must make the necessary changes to beat Italy on Saturday.
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