Wales return to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday looking to salvage something from yet another disappointing Six Nations campaign. Despite showing grit against the tournament's heavyweights, Sean Lynn's side are still winless and at serious risk of a third consecutive Wooden Spoon.
Opponents Italy head to the Welsh capital with a victory already under their belts and full of confidence after becoming the first team in nearly a decade to score five tries against England. The Azzurri could finish as high as third — their best finish in seven years — if Ireland fail to beat Scotland in Dublin.
England and France will then bring the curtain down on the Championship when they battle for the Grand Slam in Bordeaux.
Team news
Wales have made just one starting change, with Seren Singleton preferred to Hannah Dallavalle, who moves to the bench. Singleton made her debut on the wing in the opening round against Scotland and also started against France and England before being dropped for Ireland.
Italy have made four starting changes, with Francesca Granzotto getting the nod on the wing ahead of Aura Muzzo. Francesca Sgorbini and Giordana Duca come into the back row, while Gaia Maris returns at prop. The game will be the final outing for Valeria Fedrighi, with the lock retiring after 72 caps, 10 Six Nations, and three World Cups.
View from the camps
Wales head coach Sean Lynn said: "We will need all the grit, determination and physicality we have shown throughout this tournament against a very capable Italy side. We have made real strides with our performance in each game and we know we have to do that again in the final game. We know we have moved the dial with our performances, but we have to be an 80-minute team at Test match level. The players know if they win their own personal battle with their opposite number then we will have produced a performance we can be proud of and taken another step forward."
Italy lock Alessandra Frangipani said: "We are working hard on our identity and our play. Now, especially towards the end of the tournament, there is a great desire to do well and we are working very intensely. It won't be an easy challenge because we know Wales are a very intense team, especially in the set-pieces like the scrum, lineout, and drive, where they know how to put opponents under significant pressure, but I believe we have also proven our worth. We certainly expect a very physical game."