Joe Roberts believes the future is bright for Wales despite a challenging Guinness Six Nations campaign. Warren Gatland’s side face Italy in Cardiff next Saturday after losing four consecutive matches in this year’s tournament.
A first wooden spoon since 2003 looms for Wales, with the Italy clash a shoot-out to avoid finishing bottom. Italy have been basement boys in the Six Nations table for eight seasons running, but a 31-29 victory over Scotland has given them hope of avoiding that fate.
Wales will enter the game after a 45-24 loss against France, following defeats to Scotland, England and Ireland. Roberts made his first Six Nations start against France, while Wales head coach Gatland has awarded five players Test debuts during this year’s tournament – Cameron Winnett, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin.
Wales are rebuilding after the World Cup, having headed into the Six Nations in the wake of the international retirements of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, while the likes of Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit have been unavailable. Furthermore, there have been injuries suffered by Gareth Anscombe, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau, among others.
“That could be the best thing really, getting chucked in at the deep end sometimes,” said Scarlets centre Roberts. “It’s sink or swim, really. Boys will be forced to perform. There is a lot of rugby to come, so hopefully I can get myself on that summer tour (to Australia) and get a bit more experience in this jersey. That is what this group needs as a whole.
“We need experienced players out there internationally, and come the end of the year there could be (new) boys with 10-plus caps in most positions. I fully back ourselves to put in performances and get wins. I have no doubt about that with this group.”
Wales had led France 24-20 at the hour-mark before the visitors ran riot late on at the Principality Stadium, and Roberts has reflected on the nightmare ending before giving his prediction about the Italy game.
Roberts said: “I think the last 15 minutes we might have overplayed a bit in our own half and our own 22. We went a bit lateral. We took our foot off the gas and we weren’t as accurate as we could have been in the bigger moments.
“We are growing as a squad, and I am fully confident in the future we will be able to put games like that to bed with a bit of accuracy. I am fully expecting the boys to go out there and get a win (against Italy). It is a hungry changing room.”
