NATIONS2019 ‘Let’s make my record history’

ROB HOWLEY has challenged Wales to seal their place in history with victory over Italy in the ancient city of Rome on Saturday. Warren Gatland’s side face the Azzurri in their second Six Nations clash looking for their 11th straight Test win, which would equal the country’s record set between 1907 and 1910.

The mark would also surpass the Wales team of 1999, who Howley captained to a 10-game winning streak.

Now in charge of Wales’ attack after having two stints as caretaker coach of the team,

Howley played 59 times for his country between 1996 and

2002.

He said: “Our record in 1999 is something I look back on with fond memories, but I want the record to be broken by the current players.

“I want them to create their own history and build their confidence for the World Cup in what is a huge year.

“A winning run does a lot of things for a team.

Winning becomes a habit and you always seem to find a way to do it.

“Along the way you always seem to find a bit more luck too. I don’t know why, it just always seems to be the way.

“I was captain for the majority of the 10 games in a row we won in 1999. There is always a turning point for a team and ours was beating England at Wembley. That was huge.

“It was one my best games as a Welsh international in terms of the performance and the manner in which we won with Scott Gibbs’ try. We didn’t really deserve to win that game, but we found a way somehow. “I said to Neil Jenkins when we went through our winning run that we didn’t want to be the players in the jersey when we lost. You’ve got a big responsibility then and it’s the same for our players now. Fingers crossed it will go well in Italy this weekend.”

Gatland will name his team for the Rome clash this morning and a raft of changes is expected. Centre Jonathan Davies will captain the side with regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones rested among the replacements.

Wasps flanker Thomas Young is set for his Six Nations bow and young Ospreys back Owen Watkin is poised to partner Davies in midfield.

Watkin’s fellow squad members Dillon Lewis and Nicky Smith are also poised for action with Gatland keen to see what they can do with the clock ticking down to this year’s World Cup.

Gatland must pick between Gareth Anscombe, who had a poor game in Wales’ thrilling opening 24-19 win over France, and Dan Biggar at fly-half.

Howley hinted at selection for the latter.

“Dan might be given an opportunity,” he said. “Our No10s are different in their skill-sets and the competition is healthy between them.”

Italy have not won a Six Nations game in four years and Wales have never lost to them under Gatland.

They should have no problems disposing of the Azzurri again, even with a changed side. Conor O’Shea’s men are suffering with injuries and coming off a 33-20 loss to Scotland, while Wales will still be on a high.

“To be 16-0 down to France and win was huge. The players dug themselves out of a hole,” said Howley.

“It was one of the best comebacks in Six Nations history and the players will take a great deal of confidence and momentum from it, which going into the Italy game is important.

“But we won’t underestimate Italy in what is their first home game. We know their motivation and what they bring emotionally to a game at the Stadio Olimpico.

“That’s very evident counteract that.” and we have to