In a move that screams confidence or stubbornness, Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations finale against Italy at the Principality Stadium.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright has been declared fit after a leg issue, while Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow will not return yet, still sidelined by an ankle problem. The only tweak to the match-day 23 is Blair Murray coming onto the bench in place of Bath's Louie Hennessey, who earned his first cap in the defeat by Ireland.

This is the first time in Tandy's nine-game spell in charge that he has named the same starting side twice in a row. To be fair, consistency sounds nice on paper and in press conferences.

Why the same team?

Tandy says the unchanged selection reflects cohesion and consistency in the group, and he pointed to improved performances, especially the physical showing against Ireland. Translation: the pieces are starting to look like they might fit together if you squint hard enough.

Wales' scoreboard reality

Wales have lost all four matches in this Six Nations campaign so far and are desperate for a win at home. They have not beaten Italy at the Principality Stadium since 2020, and their last home Six Nations victory came in February 2022 when they beat Scotland. On top of that, Wales are nursing a worrying 15-game losing run in the tournament.

Mathematically, avoiding last place is a long shot. Wales would need a 50-point win over Italy and then hope France do the same against England. In sport-speak, that is called highly unlikely; in headline-speak, it is called dramatic.

Tandy's record and the mood

Steve Tandy's record since taking charge stands at one win and seven defeats from eight games. He remains upbeat, praising the fans and the players' energy and urging the squad to put everything together and produce their best performance of the campaign.

He highlighted the squad's references to recent performances, naming the Scotland match, the France game, and even the clash with New Zealand as benchmarks that have meaning to the players. Fans at the Principality remain a plus, and the team will hope home turf gives them the lift they need.

Wales team to play Italy

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.