Wales and Italy looking to bounce back in WXV2

WXV2: Wales v Italy

Venue: Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town Date: Friday, 4 October Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer, live text on BBC Sport website & app

History shows us games between Wales and Italy are always close and Friday's WXV2 encounter is expected to be no different.

Here we have two sides that have endured a torrid 2024, with each claiming just the one win in the Women's Six Nations as they battled to avoid the wooden spoon.

Hopes of an upturn in form and fortune were dashed in their WXV2 openers in Cape Town, with Wales hammered by Australia, while Italy were scoreless in defeat by Scotland.

So the pressure is mounting on both sides to turn things around with the Rugby World Cup fast approaching.

Wales

Despite being outmuscled by the Wallaroos, Wales have shown faith in their pack.

But they are boosted by the arrival of prop Sisilia Tuipulotu who has finally overcome visa delays to join the squad in South Africa.

A matchwinner in the last meeting with Italy, Tuipulotu was a big miss last weekend and is poised make an impact from the bench.

Hannah Jones has shaken off a calf niggle to resume her role as captain in the midfield, which sees Carys Cox move out to the wing and three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce to full-back in place of Jenny Hesketh.

There are three under-20s among the replacements in Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies and Alaw Pyrs, the latter being the younger sister of prop Gwenllian Pyrs.

Italy

In contrast, Italy have made multiple changes among their forwards.

A fit again Silvia Turani and Vittoria Vecchini come into the front row, with Giordana Duca named at lock.

Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini and Elisa Giordano make up a new-look back row, while the experienced Michela Sillari returns from a six-month injury lay-off to take her place in the midfield alongside the danger player Beatrice Rigoni, who is Italy's top points scorer this year (26).

The half-backs and backline remain unchanged.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham: "It’s going to be a close game, they are a good team with a very exciting and talented backline. Everything goes through Rigoni, she is an exceptional player, so we are going to have to do our work on Friday to shut her time and space down.

"We can build on what we did in the Six Nations against them, but also if we can be more accurate with the ball and finish those opportunities we had against Australia, then I am confident that we can trouble Italy and go on and be successful."

Wales captain Hannah Jones: "Italy are a really exciting team, you're not quite sure how they are going to turn up on the day. They've got expansive rugby, they like to play width to width.

"It's about us focusing on the fix-ups from our last game and bringing our qualities.

"If you look at our team, the front row, you've got Carys Phillips who is throwing the darts, she's a brilliant player, a brilliant leader, we've got one of the best 10s in the game in Lleucu George with her boot, we've got Keira Bevan who is very composed and experienced, Kerin Lake with the go-forward ball in the centre and our back three is very exciting as well."

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Carys Cox, Hannah Jones (capt), Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight.

Italy: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; ⁠Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, ⁠Francesca Grantzotto; ⁠Emma Stevanin, ⁠Sofia Stefan, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, ⁠Sara Seye, Valeria Fedrighi, Giordana Duca, Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini, ⁠Elisa Giodano (capt).

Replacements: Laura Gurioli, Emanuela Stecca, ⁠⁠Vittoria Zanette, ⁠⁠Alessandra Frangipani, ⁠⁠Alissa Ranuccini, ⁠⁠Beatrice Veronese, ⁠⁠Sara Mannini, Beatrice Capomaggi.

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)

Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA), host union appt

TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZR)

FPRO: Chris Assmus (RC)