Wales target 'next level' as Tandy reveals team for Italy clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Steve Tandy has revealed his team to play Italy on ‘Super Saturday’ in the fifth and final round of the 2026 Six Nations.
There are no changes to the starting XV for our final home match at Principality Stadium. Blair Murray is named among the replacements for the second time this Championship.
“Having an unchanged team, I think it reflects the cohesion and the consistency in the group and the consistency of performance out in Ireland,” said Tandy.
“This week, we need to go up another level. We’ve had some really good performances. I think there were parts against France, then we built up into the Scotland game, where I thought we were very good.
“Against Ireland, we stepped up to the plate physically.”
“Now it’s putting it all together and creating our best performance this weekend.”
On being back at home for our final match of the Championship, Tandy added: “For the team and myself, going back to Principality Stadium is amazing.
“The boys did really well creating their own energy against Ireland, but there’s nothing better [than being at home].
“The boys reference in meetings what the Scotland game meant to them and the French game, the New Zealand game – the fans have been incredible, and I think they’re really behind the team and the team are really putting in performances to represent our nation.”
Wales: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 James Botham, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Rhys Carre.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Blair Murray.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.40 (17.40 CET; 16.40 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)