Five Wales Players Warren Gatland Needs to Drop – And Who Should Replace Them

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An early acrobatic try from Ange Capuozzo gave Italy the lead, and they never looked back at Stadio Olimpico. Despite a late push from Wales, which included an Aaron Wainwright try and two yellow cards for Italy, the damage was already done. Italy finished with 13 men, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Welsh rot.

Wales slumped to a 14th straight defeat, plunging to their lowest-ever world ranking of 12th. The pressure on Warren Gatland is unbearable now, and with the stakes so high, these are the five bold changes he must make to turn things around.

RUCK 3/10: "After hitting a milestone last timeout against France, Adams probably was looking for a much better performance than last week in Paris. He did have two opportunities from kicks in behind but, again, didn’t see much of the ball. The 29-year-old was also awarded a yellow card on 58 minutes for making contact with Paolo Garbisi’s head, perhaps he can count himself lucky that it wasn’t a red."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Looked pretty threatening throughout, but just blew two huge opportunities that could have swung the game back to Wales, and you think he would have nabbed these a few years ago. Lucky to escape a red card too for his challenge on Paolo Garbisi."

Wales Online 4/10: "Butchered two try-scoring opportunity by spilling the ball forward with the line at his mercy, albeit in difficult conditions. Received a yellow card for a cynical high shot on Paolo Garbisi."

Replacement: Liam Williams

Planet Rugby 3/10: "Put under some serious pressure in the scrum by the Italian pack, and came up with a few penalties as a result. Again, he’s not the long-term solution at tighthead."

Wales Online 4/10: "In Paris, the Scarlets tighthead was as solid as a rock but he conceded four scrum penalties in Rome and was replaced after 44 minutes. An afternoon to forget."

RUCK 3/10: "The Italian pack was strong, and after last week’s decent showing at scrum time, it must be said that it wasn’t the best of afternoon's for the front row. At times they were physically outmatched, with Thomas giving away some penalties, which helped the hosts with momentum."

Replacement:  Keiron Assiratti

RUCK 3/10: "Tompkins went off for a HIA on 15 minutes and was replaced by Josh Hathaway but returned to the field of play 10 minutes later. At times, he was one of the leading ball carriers, but his biggest flop this week was making unnecessary passes that put the pressure straight back onto his side, which resulted in the 29-year-old scoring so low."

Wales Online 4/10: "The Saracens man is full of energy but isn't the long-term answer in midfield. One pass went forward when Wales had worked an overlap on the outside. Part of a Wales attack which didn't spark."

Replacement: Joe Roberts

Planet Rugby 4/10: " Steady around the pitch, as you’d expect, but the lineout misfired again during his stint as Italy got some decent change in this department. Couldn’t help his props much either"

Wales Online 4/10: "The lineout is a collective effort but Wales struggled to win much clean ball early on and it improved once Elliot Dee entered the fray. Offered himself as a carrier and does have potential but he remains a work in progress at this level."

RUCK 3/10: "He wasn't firing his arrows at the lineout, which ultimately let the 23-year-old down as the hosts used those errors as a catalyst to their attacking game. However, in attack and defence, he was solid."

Replacement: Elliot Dee

Wales Online 4/10: "Offered himself as a carrier throughout but struggled to win the collisions, spilling the ball in contact on a number of occasions. The 33-year-old has struggled to reach past heights over the past few months."

RUCK 4/10: "Replaced early into the second half by Teddy Williams, it was another wholehearted performance by the 33-year-old. He didn’t do anything eye-catching but was decent in defence."

Replacement: Teddy Williams 

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