RUGBY UNION: SIX NATIONS
Liam goes for record after tip from missus
LIAM WILLIAMS is out to etch his name into the Wales history books.
Victory against Italy today would make it 11 straight wins for the Dragons and would equal their record run dating back to 1910.
Full-back Williams, 27 (below), one of five survivors from last week’s comeback win over France, said: “My missus sent me a screenshot about the record – that’s the only reason I know.
“Hopefully we will go out and get the win and equal it. But we know Italy are a tough team to play against at home.
“I don’t think Italy not winning for a long time is going to make a big difference to the game. We won’t think about a bonus point to start with.
“In the last couple of times we’ve played in Rome it’s been very tight in the first half and then we’ve pulled away in the second and won the game comfortably. We have to play for 80 minutes.”
Warren Gatland, who has prepared his players with a training camp in Nice, has made wholesale changes but his team should still be too good for Italy. Wales average more than 50 points in their last four Six Nations meetings with the Azzurri.
Jonathan Davies, who captains Wales for the first time, said: “It is a huge honour. There is added responsibility, but captaincy is something I am looking forward to.
“My dad was 60 on Tuesday, so my parents went from Paris through Switzerland on the Glacier Express. I think they have had a great week.
“They have been a massive part of where I am today, so to have my family and loved ones out here is great.”
Italy are major underdogs having failed to win a Six Nations game since 2015, but captain Sergio Parisse said: “It doesn’t matter whether Wales have made 10, 15 or three changes.
“They are still a very, very strong side and we will have to be at our best to beat them.”
CHRIS ASHTON will make his first Six Nations start for six years tomorrow – with the instruction to blow fragile France away from the off.
The Sale wing, who broke the French League try-scoring record last season, has replaced Jack Nowell in a shock selection after last week’s superb win in Ireland.
But with England scoring a try inside three minutes in each of their last four Tests, coach Eddie Jones thinks Ashton is the man to rock France early tomorrow.
He got his first Red Rose outing in four years in the autumn and went on to score his 20th international try against New Zealand.
Jones said: “He’s a try poacher and we’ve just got a gut feeling he’ll be right for the start of the game and then Jack will be right for the end of the game.
“He’s a finisher. We feel that maybe early in the game, as he did against New Zealand, he can find the line for us.
“That could be important. Jack was absolutely outstanding for us against Ireland so it’s just a different role for him this time.
“We’ve got 23 who are going to do the business on Sunday for us.”
England start as hot favourites with France having not won at Twickenham in 14 years.
Better
Jones added: “After the Ireland game we have had to refocus and reset. Last week was just the start – I’ve got no doubt we are going to be better this week.
“The French are always an interesting side to play against. They are full of talent and they have a lot of unpredictability.
‘‘It’s hard to prepare tactically against them so we have had a real focus on ourselves. We’ve had a good look at France but we just have to be organised in defence and have that relentless attitude to get after them.”
Ashton, 31, is back in favour having worked as a TV pundit during last season’s tournament.
He admitted he thought his chance of starting again for England in the championship had gone.
He said: “It was France versus Italy (TV work) and thinking that was a year ago I’d never have thought we’d be sat here with me about to play against France.
“I definitely understand what it’s like to not be involved and not have the shirt – so it’s a big privilege for me to be back in.”
Skipper Owen Farrell says his team-mates must look to push on from the impressive performance that saw off Ireland 32-20.
Farrell said: “We don’t want to just be good at stuff – everyone is good at stuff. We want to see where