Captain Davies calls for fast start

Captain Jonathan Davies has stressed the importance of Wales making a fast start in today’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Italy.

Davies’ parents watched Wales beat France in Paris last week before travelling through Switzerland on the Glacier Express as part of his birthday celebrations, and then on to Rome.

“My dad was 60 on Tuesday, so they went from Paris through Switzerland on the Glacier Express,” Davies said. “I think they have had a great week, mum and dad.

“They have been a massive part of where I am today, so to have my family and loved ones out here is great.”

Davies, captain for the first time, leads a side showing 10 changes from the France game as Wales protect a 12-match unbeaten record against Italy.

The Azzurri, meanwhile, have not won a Six Nations Test on home soil since 2013, while their last victory in the tournament came four years ago.

Davies added: “It is important we start well. We can’t give Italy opportunities to get into the game.

“We are looking to start fast and keep going. The week has been great, and the boys are excited.

“They (Italy) always come out pretty fast, so it is about managing that start.

“It is about keeping to what we have worked on over the last few weeks, build momentum and pressure, and hopefully that hard work we put in at the start will pay off.”

A Wales win would make it 11 in a row against all opponents, equalling their all-time record run set between 1907 and 1910.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse says he is “really confident” about his team’s prospects today, despite history being stacked against them.

He said: “I am really confident because I have seen a lot of great work from the team during training in the week.

“We go into the game with belief, and we are playing with confidence.

“But the most important thing is the whole 80 minutes against a big, big side in Wales who are (ranked) fourth in the world.

“They won in France not playing their best rugby. France conceded some very easy tries, but we know Wales are a very dangerous side.

“For us, we want to be in the game for 80 minutes.”

Italy: J Hayward; E Padovani, M Campagnaro, L Morisi, A Esposito; T Allan, G Palazzani; N Quaglio, L Ghiraldini, S Ferrari, D Sisi, D Budd, S Negri, A Steyn, S Parisse (capt).

Wales: L Williams; J Holmes, J Davies (capt), O Watkin, J Adams; D Biggar, A Davies; N Smith, E Dee, S Lee, J Ball, A Beard, A Wainwright, T Young, J Navidi.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France). England: E Daly; C Ashton, H Slade, M Tuilagi, J May; O Farrell (capt), B Youngs (capt); M Vunipola, J George, K Sinckler, C Lawes, G Kruis, M Wilson, T Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: L CowanDickie, B Moon, D Cole, J Launchbury, N Hughes, D Robson, G Ford, J Nowell.

France: Y Huget; D Penaud, M Bastareaud, G Doumayrou, G Fickou; C Lopez, M Parra; J Poirot, G Guirado (capt), D Bamba, S Vahaamahina, F Lambey, Y Camara, A Iturria, L Picamoles.

Replacements: P Bougarit, D Priso, D Aldegheri, P Willemse, G Alldritt, A Dupont, R Ntamack, T Ramos.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).