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Wales have received the Wooden Spoon accolade twice in the Six Nations era in 2003 and 2024 while Italy have finished bottom 18 times
Men's Six Nations: Wales v England
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 March Kick off: 16:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC Sport website and app. Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live.
Wales are again looking to avoid winning the Six Nations race to the bottom on the final weekend of the tournament.
The Wooden Spoon is the title awarded to the side that finishes bottom of the table, a dubious accolade Wales received in 2024 for the first time in 21 years.
It sums up the current state of Welsh rugby when the men's national side play England on 'Super Saturday' hoping to avoid an historic outright second successive Wooden Spoon, rather than vying for the Six Nations title or winning a Grand Slam.
France, Ireland, England and Scotland are still in the equation to win the tournament to wildly varying degrees, but it is only Wales and Italy that can prop up the table and claim one of rugby's most unwanted prizes.
Italy host Ireland (14:15 GMT), Wales entertain England live on BBC One (16:45 GMT) and France welcome Scotland (20:00 GMT) in the final round of games on Saturday.
Wales will at least know what they need to do as they play after their Italian rivals, with at least £500,000 prize money at stake as the difference between finishing fifth and sixth.
Avoiding accolades
Wales are looking to avoid a few unwanted accolades on Saturday.
They will aim to not become the first tier one nation in the professional era to lose 17 successive matches after equalling Italy's record of 16 losses with the defeat to Scotland in Murrayfield.
Scotland lost 17 games between 1951 and 1955, while France suffered 18 defeats between 1911 and 1920.
Wales lost five out of five in 2024 - and have never been defeated in all their matches in the tournament in two successive seasons. They have also never won the outright Wooden Spoon in consecutive years.
Wales were placed bottom of the Five Nations table in 1989, 1990 and 1991. But while Wales finished bottom outright in 1990, in 1989 and 1991, they were technically equal fourth with Ireland on both occasions, because positions based on points difference was not introduced until 1993.
Standings
Wales have secured three bonus points in this year's tournament but are propping up the standings after four defeats, a point behind Italy.
The Azzurri, who have yet to pick up any bonus points, are seeking a second win of their campaign having overcome Wales in round two.
The criteria for what happens if both sides finish on the same number of points is based on points difference and then tries scored, according to tournament regulations:
If two or more sides finish the championship with the same number of match points, they will be placed according to the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded on the fields of play in all matches
If any such sides also have the same points difference, they will be placed according to the number of tries (including penalty tries) scored by each side in all matches
If any such side have also scored the same number of tries (including penalty tries), they will be placed equally
'Ugo said he'd shave his chest if England lose to Wales!'
How Wales can lose all matches and avoid the Wooden Spoon
Wales could technically finish above Italy even if they lose every match because of the bonus points system that was introduced in 2017.
Bonus points were brought in to reward attacking play, and to encourage teams to chase additional points even if they are losing.
One point for scoring four or more tries in a single match (a try bonus)
One point for teams that lose by seven or fewer points (a losing bonus)
Three points to a team that wins all five of their matches (a Grand Slam bonus)
Losing teams can earn up to two bonus points - if they score four tries and lose by seven or fewer points
Wales' points difference is currently -65 which is superior to Italy's -77 and could prove crucial depending on results.
In most scenarios, if Wales gain one more match point than Italy then they should finish higher than their rivals.
If Italy finish with nothing in Rome, then Wales just need a point. If the Italians gain a losing bonus point, Wales would need to secure two match points by scoring four tries and finishing within seven points of England or picking up a draw.
How Wales can beat England but still end up with the Wooden Spoon
If Italy beat Ireland with a bonus point in Rome then Wales will definitely have the Wooden Spoon, regardless of what occurs in Cardiff.
If Italy win with no bonus points then Wales will need to secure a maximum victory against England and hope their points difference superiority remains.
A draw for either side which would give them two points could present more unlikely complicated scenarios, especially involving bonus points.
But Wales will know one more match point than Italy, in most cases, will result in them finishing fifth rather than sixth.
That would be an improvement on the 2024 campaign in terms of placings and prize money but still be nothing to celebrate.
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