Wales face Italy in their final Six Nations fixture at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, 17 May, with the hosts battling to avoid an unwanted place in history. For the fourth successive Championship, these teams meet on the final weekend with Wales aiming to avoid a clean sweep of defeats. A year on from their record loss in Parma, little appears to have changed following defeats by Scotland, England, France and Ireland.

Italy arrive in Cardiff as favourites – something unthinkable in previous years. After last weekend's defeat by Ireland, Wales are now on the worst run in their 39-year Test history, having never lost eight matches in a row. They went 14 without a win between 1987 and 1993, but a draw broke up that streak. These are records Wales do not want to be breaking.

Head coach Sean Lynn is under growing pressure to show tangible progress. The former Gloucester-Hartpury boss has yet to mastermind a Six Nations victory since taking charge in early 2025. Former Wales number eight Sioned Harries said questions about Lynn's future are fair if Wales lose on Sunday. Captain Bethan Lewis acknowledged: "There's no one that wants a win more than us, I am dying to get the W."