Beard knows Wales facing a tough Italian test

ADAM Beard says there can be no “ifs or buts” for Wales when it comes to dealing with the pressure of a Guinness Six Nations woodenspoon showdown against Italy.

Wales are one loss away from their worst Six Nations campaign in terms of results since 2003, when they lost all five games.

Narrow reversals against Scotland and England were followed by more comprehensive defeats at the hands of Ireland and

France, leaving Wales four points adrift at the bottom of the table.

And they will face an Italy team next Saturday buoyed by a stirring victory over Scotland, which underlined impressive strides being made under new head coach Gonzalo Quesada.

Beard was part of Six Nations title-winning teams in 2019 and 2021, but now finds himself trying to help stave off receiving the tournament’s most unwanted tag. “We’ve got to deal with it, there are no ifs or buts now,” said Beard.

“It’s huge. There is nothing we can do but win that game, otherwise you know what is going to happen.”

Italy’s win against Scotland was their first Six Nations success on home soil for 11 years, while they head to Cardiff having triumphed there two years ago thanks to Edoardo Padovani’s try that Paolo Garbisi converted with the game’s final kick. Away from the Test arena, further improvement has been underlined by leading Italian club team Benetton’s bid to reach the United Rugby Championship title-winning play-offs, having lost only three league games this season.

Beard added: “They have got a very good team on paper and they are putting in some good performances, and we have got to be on point to get the win.”