Planet Rugby

Italy learning from mistakes

19th March 2010 16:25

Craig Gower

Gower: 'We have to improve'

Italy are trying to learn from the mistakes that led to their heavy defeat to France before taking on Wales on the last weekend of this year's Six Nations.

Nick Mallett's men crashed to a 46-20 loss to Les Bleus in Paris on Sunday, a result that turned the Italians' 16-12 triumph over Scotland in the previous game into a distant memory.

"We missed tackles against France and guys made the wrong decisions," said fly-half Craig Gower.

"It is a short turnaround to rectify that."

If the Italians can surprise the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium, they will have a lot to smile about.

They would have two wins and also the memory of pushing England very close before losing 17-12.

"We go into every match looking to win it and we have to improve as a team," said Gower.

The Bayonne player expects a battle from start to finish against a Welsh side that is also trying to bounce back.

They go into the game after consecutive losses to France and Ireland.

"Wales use a rush-style league defence," said Gower.

"Every defence is breakable and it comes down to controlling the ball. They have conceded 10 tries this Six Nations.

"But it is more about ourselves and we have to work out ways of cracking their defence."

Gower is relishing the chance of playing in Cardiff.

"It's been a great buzz to play in the Six Nations with 80,000 fans at Croke Park and 74,000 this Saturday," he said.

"It is a privilege to be part of it."

The Australian-born rugby league convert is also happy with the confidence placed in him by Mallett.

"I was brought into the side to control the guys and lead the kicking, bringing a bit of composure inside and out," he said.

"I last played rugby league in 2007 and when I came to union I was at outside-centre and only had a few passes and a couple of tackles to make.

"I wondered what was going on but when I moved to inside-centre, there was more action and then I was given the chance to play 10 which is closer to the half-back role in league and I have thoroughly enjoyed it."

Should the Azzurri lose and Scotland, who drew against England last week, win in Ireland, the Italians would finish for the third straight year with the wooden spoon.

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