O’Shea’s Italy have a mountain to climb

– Conor O’Shea’s Italy are desperate to pick up where they left off against Scotland last weekend when they take on Wales for their second Six Nations game of the campaign, looking to avoid pushing their losing streak in the tournament to 19 matches.

Three late tries in Murrayfield have given O’Shea’s (right) perennial losers reason for optimism, despite the 33-20 defeat.

The pressure is mounting on O’Shea, who has yet to win a Six Nations match.

Italy’s last win in the Six Nations was before O’Shea’s time – against Scotland in Edinburgh in February 2015.

The 49-year-old former Ireland international’s overall record stands at 23 losses and six wins from 29 games.

New Zealand-born lock Dean Budd defended O’Shea’s tactics.

“We don’t go onto the pitch to suffer, to defend for 80 minutes, but it’s true that we launch our counter-attacks from defence,” said 32-year-old Budd.

O’Shea has made two changes, with Edoardo Padovani starting on the wing and Wasps’ Michele Campagnaro moving to centre with Treviso prop Nicola Quaglio replacing Andrea Lovotti for just

Rome

a third start.

The side will again be led by the veteran Sergio Parisse, who broke the competition’s record for appearances at Murrayfield.

Italy have beaten the Welsh twice, both times in Rome, in 2003 and 2007.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made 10 changes and one positional switch from the side that came from 16-0 down at half-time to beat France 24-19 in Paris last week.

Jonathan Davies will captain Wales for the first time with regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones on the bench.

Victory for Wales at the Stadio Olimpico would make it 11 successive wins and equal their all-time unbeaten record set between 1907 and 1910.

Gatland said: “We have made a similar number of changes to what we did last year, but it is all about opportunity for these players. We have had a squad of 31 training together and it is important they get game time.

“It is a great opportunity for Jon as captain. He has a huge amount of experience, is a great leader and it is a great honour for him to lead his country.

“Italy will be hurting after last weekend but they are a different proposition in Rome.” –