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‘A win would get the monkey off our back’
Gatland denies Italy clash is ‘biggest Wales game for 20 years’
Wales head coach Warren Gatland ahead of the Guinness Men's Six Nations match at the Stade de France in Paris, France, January 31, 2025

WARREN GATLAND has dismissed the notion Wales are facing their biggest game for two decades against Italy on Saturday.

Former Wales outside-half Dan Biggar described the Six Nations clash in Rome as Welsh rugby’s biggest game for the “last 15-20 years” after an opening 43-0 thrashing to France left Gatland’s side surveying a record-breaking 13th consecutive defeat.

A 14th at the Stadio Olimpico would leave Wales with the very real prospect of a second winless Six Nations campaign and championship wooden spoon, and put Gatland in almost an untenable position.

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