GAT EYES STATS AS WALES GET SCRAPPY

WARREN GATLAND saw Wales scrape past Italy – and then claimed it will help them down England.

Wales scored just two tries and produced a scrappy performance in Rome as they had to rely on efforts from Josh Adams and Owen Watkin to come out on top.

Gatland made 10 changes and saw his team struggle for cohesion, but they have still won their last 11 matches. They can make it 12 and become statistically the best Welsh team ever if they beat England in Cardiff a week on Saturday.

Gatland (above) said: “We have probably helped ourselves a little bit by not playing as well as we could have against Italy.

“As a result everyone will start talking England up. Sometimes it’s easier to help motivate yourself if that does happen.”