Taulupe Faletau has pinpointed the threat of Italy’s Sergio Parisse to Wales and suggested the No.8 is the nearest thing to a one-man international team.
“He is Italy,” says Faletau about the man who will oppose him at the base of the opposition scrum at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Wales must quell the influence of Parisse, says Faletau, if they are record their 10th successive victory over the Azzurri and cement their runners-up spot in the final Six Nations table.
Parisse is now 32 years old and will win his 119th cap in the final round of the tournament, but his significance to the Italian cause remains as high as it has been for the past 10 years.
The Stade Francais star is equally revered in French club rugby and Faletau is one of many admiring back row opponents.
“We all know what he brings. He is their talisman and I look forward to going up against him again,” says Faletau, seven years younger at 25 but who will win his 57th cap.
“He brings leadership and does everything so well, everybody just follows his lead then. He pops up everywhere and is very effective – he is Italy, I suppose and is very important to them.”
But despite Parisse’s continued excellence, the Italians have had another disappointing campaign. In fact, their inability to mount steady improvement has sparked debate not just about whether they will avoid another tournament whitewash but if they should be at risk of relegation in a newly structured two-tier system.
Faletau reckons they are better than this current campaign suggests, even though they are coming off the back of a nine-try hammering against Ireland.
“Italy always have a solid pack and set piece. They’ve got dangerous wingers who can strike from anywhere, as we saw last year. It was a crazy game last year, a crazy weekend.”
“Everybody wants to win the championship and we are disappointed we are not going to do that this year but we just have to finish as high as possible.”
Veteran prop Martin Castrogiovanni returns to the Italy side as one of five changes made after their 58-15 mauling in Dublin.
‘Castro’ is back after suspension and, like Parisse, will earn his 119th cap in Cardiff in what will be head coach Jacques Brunel’s final match in charge.
Elsewhere, centre Andrea Pratichetti — who replaces the injured Michele Campagnaro — fly-half Tommaso Allan and locks Quintin Geldenhuys and Valerio Bernabò also come into the side.
Italy are once again skippered by Parisse, while Wales will have an unfamiliar captain in Dan Lydiate due to Sam Warburton’s concussion suffered against England.
“Everybody knows his leadership skills within the squad,” said Faletau about his back row pal and former Dragons teammate.
“He has grown in that sense and can rant and rave. He gets the boys firing and does his job on the pitch as well, which is the main thing.”
Italy: David Odiete; Leonardo Sarto, Andrea Pratichetti, Gonzalo Garcia, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Allan, Guglielmo Palazzani; Andrea Lovotti, Davide Giazzon, Martin Castrogiovanni, Quintin Geldenhuys, Valerio Bernabò, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse (capt), Alessandro Zanni.
Replacements: Oliviero Fabiani, Matteo Zanusso, Dario Chistolini, Jacapo Sarto, Abraham Steyn, Alberto Lucchese, Kelly Haimona, Luke McLean.
