Rugby betting tips: Italy vs Wales predictions, preview and best bets for Six Nations clash

Wales visit Italy at Stadio Olimpico for their Six Nations round two clash, seeking redemption after a tough opening weekend in the 2025 Championship. Read on to find a detailed outright preview and top betting recommendations and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

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Rugby betting tips: Italy v Wales Predictions for Six Nations

Can Wales End Their Nightmare Run in Rome?
  • Wales are currently on a 13-match losing streak, their longest in recent history.
  • Italy have won just two of their last three encounters with Wales, both coming in Cardiff.
  • Italy conceded three first-half tries in their opening-round loss to Scotland, exposing defensive frailties early in the game.

Our Best Bet

Wales +6 to Win
11/10 - odds when tipped
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Reasoning
Wales benefit from Faletau’s return and a new centre pairing, while Italy’s defensive lapses offer hope. History favours Wales, and urgency may drive a closer contest than expected.

Saturday’s Six Nations action sees two struggling sides go head-to-head as Italy welcome Wales to the Stadio Olimpico in what is shaping up to be a pivotal contest. Both teams are coming off opening-round defeats and will be desperate to avoid being left at the foot of the table. Italy showed flashes of promise in their loss to Scotland, particularly in the second half, while Wales endured a bruising evening in Paris, failing to register a single point in their heavy defeat to France.

The significance of this fixture cannot be understated, with both teams eager to claim their first victory of the tournament. Italy, under Gonzalo Quesada, have built a squad with a more competitive edge than in previous years, while Wales find themselves on a worrying downward spiral, now on a 13-match losing streak. For the visitors, this clash represents their best opportunity in some time to break that unwanted run, but they will need to find a level of resilience that was lacking last weekend.

With players like Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello forming a formidable centre partnership for Italy, the hosts have the potential to unlock Wales’ defence. Meanwhile, the return of Taulupe Faletau could provide the visitors with some much-needed stability in the pack. As both teams look to turn their fortunes around, this encounter in Rome could prove to be one of the most closely contested matches of the weekend.

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Best Bet: Wales +6 to Win

Despite Wales’ ongoing struggles, there are reasons to believe they can keep this game close, if not come away with a win. The return of Faletau is a major boost for their back row, adding experience and leadership that was sorely missing in their opening-round defeat. Additionally, the introduction of Eddie James into the centre alongside Nick Tompkins provides a fresh dynamic that could trouble Italy’s defence.

While Italy’s resurgence in recent years cannot be ignored, their opening performance against Scotland exposed some vulnerabilities. They conceded three first-half tries and struggled to impose themselves territorially until late in the match. If Wales can apply early pressure and take advantage of Italy’s occasional lapses in defensive structure, they have every chance of staying within the six-point margin.

Moreover, history still favours the visitors, with Italy only managing two victories in their last three encounters with Wales—both of which came in Cardiff. Playing in Rome presents a different challenge for the Azzurri, and while they have improved, they remain inconsistent when tasked with closing out tight matches. Given the urgency for Wales to end their losing run and avoid slipping further in the world rankings, expect a determined performance that keeps this contest closer than many expect.

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