Wales must bring losing run to a halt

Stadium, tomorrow 4.40pm kick off

- BY STEFFAN THOMAS

Italy's Tommaso Menonchello

The word "growth" has been used throughout the course of this Six Nations Championship by the Wales coaching team but tomorrow's clash with Italy should fall into the must-win category.

Having taken on the toughest job in world rugby, Steve Tandy has been reluctant to put too much pressure on his squad, at least externally, when it comes to winning games.

Wales have been here before in 2003 when former head coach Sir Steve Hansen emphasised the need to focus on the performance, rather than results.

It was misunderstood at the time with Wales at such a low ebb that they had to focus on getting the performance right and only then would the results come.

Wales are in a similar place under Tandy and are not in a position where they can expect to beat most sides.

Improvement was always going to be gradual before they can claim some much-needed victories.