‘We know Wales must win’ – Italy coach Quesada

Gonzalo Quesada says Wales “must win” when they face his Italy side in the Six Nations finale in Cardiff on Saturday.

Wales have lost their past 15 matches in the tournament since beating the Azzurri in March 2023 in Rome and have not won a Six Nations home fixture in more than four years.

They are facing a third successive Wooden Spoon, though their previous two performances, against Scotland and Ireland, have been much improved.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy and captain Dewi Lake have said performance is more important than the result this weekend.

But Quesada believes victory will be Wales’ main goal as they face an Italy side who have just celebrated a first win against England.

Quesada pointed to Wales’ improved displays, even if they have not managed to gain a victory.

“They produced amazing performances against Ireland and Scotland but you can be in these periods where the results are not there, not even if you play as well and fight as hard as they did and the stunning physicality they put in against Ireland,” he added.

“We are preparing mentally and physically to be ready for what will be, for me, the toughest game of the whole Six Nations.”

Quesada says he has been surprised by Wales’ recent results but expects a backlash this weekend.

“That’s why I’m super respectful and aware because I know well Welsh rugby and the people well,” said Quesada, who played for Argentina against Wales in the opening game of the 1999 World Cup in Cardiff.

“There’s adversity and Welsh people in front of adversity become really dangerous.

“When the things get tough, they raise their level. Because it’s so tough at the moment, I know that it’s going to have a big game coming on Saturday.

Italy are seeking two unique trebles at the Principality Stadium, with a third successive triumph on Welsh soil and a first hat-trick of wins in a single Six Nations since joining the tournament in 2000 in their sights.

Having defeated Scotland and England at home, the Italians are now looking for a first away win in this year’s championship – but Quesada attempted to play down talk of history being made.

“No-one is talking about two wins or three wins,” said Quesada. “The goal is more to finish our first Six Nations with full consistency and having five good games.

“That is something that has never happened. There was always a game where things didn’t work and there was a big loss.

“I promise it’s not just words, it’s exactly what we are after.”

Italy have not lost against Wales in Cardiff since 2020, having triumphed at the Principality Stadium in 2022 and 2024.

With three wins against Wales in the past four meetings, Italy arrive in Cardiff as favourites.

Quesada acknowledged that his players will be able to call on the experience of previous victories at the Principality this time around.

“Psychologically the guys are not entering the stadium on Saturday feeling it’s impossible,” said Quesada.

Wing Louis Lynagh is one of the players who have experienced success in Cardiff, having been part of Italy’s winning side in 2024.

“It is always good to be back here. I have amazing memories from two years ago and hopefully we can recreate that,” said Lynagh.

“People now in our side now have had that experience of playing in these big moments and stadiums, so hopefully we can push forwards and win more games.”

Welsh fans may be hoping that Italy may still be hungover following their success against England, but Lynagh dispelled that idea.

“We had a good celebration after the game but soon turned our attention to recovering and playing Wales,” he said.

“We don’t want [the win against England] to be a massive high followed by a low.

“Italy in the past have had that big win but it has been a one-off and we lose the next week. We have been striving for that consistency and that has been one of our biggest growths and something Gonzalo has brought in.

“He has done an amazing job so far and the team is fully behind him.”

Italy have a few connections to Wales, with Welsh-speaking scrum-half Stephen Varney on the replacements’ bench this weekend.

Defence coach Richard Hodges was formerly on the Cardiff management team and worked at the Arms Park with current Wales backroom duo Danny Wilson and Matt Sherratt.

“Wales have been in a difficult point in their story but their growth in the Six Nations has been amazing to see,” said Lynagh.

“People will say they have lost four games in a row and it will not be a difficult game, but we think the exact opposite.