This is the top story for rugby night on Monday 6th March.

The Italian talisman ruled out clash in Wales

Italy suffered a major blow ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales after full-back Ange Capuozzo was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Capuozzo has been struggling with a shoulder injury since the defeat to Ireland but there is some hope that the 23-year-old, who helped Wales away to Cardiff last year, will be back in time. However, that is not the case, meaning he will miss what will likely be a crucial Wooden Spoon match on Saturday.

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Warren Gatland’s side are ridiculously bottom of the Six Nations table, with Italy one place above them, with just a bonus point down after their early defeat to France.

Capuozzo will now begin his rehabilitation with Toulouse’s return to the Top 14, with Italy opting for Matteo Minozzi at full-back.

Matteo Minozzi is likely to start at full-back against Wales in Rome this weekend as Italy look to build on their famous 2022 victory in Cardiff.

Shanklin: Something has to be done about training

Former Wales centre, Tom Shanklin, had the unenviable honor of losing to Italy in 2003 and 2007, but fears the situation will be worse for the current generation, regardless of winning in Rome next week.

Whilst 2003 and 2007 represented the nadir of success in the years to come, the growing number of problems in Welsh rugby makes it difficult to predict any improvement in the years to come.

“There are a lot of parallels between then and now,” Shanklin said. daisport. There may be more pain to come, but if you look at 2003 and 2007, coincidentally World Cup years like 2023, they paved the way for good times for
come over.”

He added: “There was some real quality in the system in 2003-04 and finally in 2005 it all came together. In those difficult times, the next generation was prepared,” he added.

“I don’t see the same quality coming out now. Sometimes you get lucky when a group of players get together, but right now we’re struggling.

“For me, it has to start with good training at 16-17 years old. We have to ask ourselves: “Why are we not producing the number and quality of players needed to feed the Welsh team?”

“Where is the next number 10? Who will wear number 8 after Taulupe Faletau retires and who will wear number 15 after Lee Halfpenny and Liam Williams?

“And what will be the correct combination in the center? We’ve owned about 19 different pairs over the years.

“We also need to find a big number 6 to carry the ball. Player development is key and is a matter for the WRU and the clubs.

“In Dublin, Leinster can field players from the 2nd, 3rd and even 4th XV who have the basic skills of the game – passing, catching, tackling. Everyone has a vision and is properly prepared to play at the level required of them, it’s a matter of training and we have to do something in that area.

“I think part of the problem for us is the tactics we go into games with. We have to develop.”

The former All-Ireland star is banking on the Cardiff Effect to keep her Grand Slam hopes alive

Former Irish defender Devin Toner thinks Andy Farrell’s team should look at how they silenced Cardiff fans when they beat Wales last month ahead of the Six Nations tie against Scotland.

While only Ireland can still win a Grand Slam, Scotland will keep their title hopes alive and claim their first Triple Crown since 1990 with a home win at Murrayfield.

As such, keeping the Scottish crowd calm will be high on Ireland’s agenda. And Toner thinks they can look to the opening game against Wales to keep things quiet at Principality Stadium.

“It’s a personal thing,” he said. TEN. “Everyone has their own way of dealing with things, in their head and dealing with pressure.

“I think as a team, you see [what happened] in wales

“If you go early or start well, the first five or 10 minutes, if you try early or something like that, it calms down the crowd a little bit, but again, it’s hard to do, especially against a big team, but it’s all about it. individual mindset and how prepared you are for it.

“If you are well prepared as a team and everything is aligned, it is something you can achieve well.

“It’s always been difficult for me when you call the lineups and the crowd is so loud. It’s very difficult to drill. How to deny it? Just try to get off to a good start and stick to the game plan.”

Scotland’s Gilchrist banned from Six Nations holiday

Scottish block Grant Gilchrist will miss the remainder of the Six Nations after being suspended for three weeks for his red card against France.

The 32-year-old was sent off for a tackle on Anthony Jelonche’s head six minutes into France’s 31-21 win in Paris. The ban was reduced from six weeks after he admitted to his misconduct, also taking into account lack of intent.

Edinburgh Castle will now miss Scotland’s other matches against Ireland and Italy, as well as their club URC’s clash with Connacht.

However, the officiating committee agreed to Gilchrist’s request to attend a tackle training course in lieu of serving the final game of his suspension.

Source: Wales Online