Wales aim to avoid unwanted history against Italy

Breaking news from the world of sport: Wales aim to avoid unwanted history against ItalyImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wales are on a record eight-Test match losing streakByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport WalesPublished14 minutes agoOnce again Wales face Italy in their final game of the Six Nations with in some ways nothing and everything on the line when they meet on Sunday, 17 May at Cardiff Arms Park (12:15 BST). For the fourth successive Championship, these teams face-off on the final weekend and for the third time, with Wales aiming to avoid a clean sweep of defeats. In 2023 it took a last-minute try by Sisilia Tuipulotu to rescue Wales and break Italian hearts in Cardiff.

But defeats in this fixture in 2024 and 2025 have seen Wales pick up consecutive Wooden Spoons. A year on from the record loss in Parma and little appears to have changed for Wales following defeats by Scotland, England, France and Ireland. Perhaps the one significant difference in 2026 is that Italy are arguably stronger.

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Now head coach Sean Lynn is under growing pressure to give a tangible sign of progress and end a record losing streak in a tournament dead rubber that could have implications for his tenure. Wales v ItalyGuinness Women's Six NationsSunday, 17 May, kick-off 12:15 BSTCardiff Arms Park Watch on iPlayer Listen on SoundsWatch every match live on iPlayer and the Sport website and app; listen to match commentaries on Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and Sounds; follow live text and match highlights onlineStats make for grim readingItaly arrive in Cardiff as favourites - something that would have been unheard of in times gone by - but such is the state of Welsh rugby right now. After last weekend's defeat by Ireland, Lynn's side are now on the worst run in their 39-year Test history.

Since their first ever recorded match in 1987, Wales have never lost eight matches in a row. They have gone 14 without a win - between 1987 and 1993 - but a draw broke up the streak. These are records Wales do not want to be breaking and even with a win against the Azzure on Sunday, the campaign will surely be deemed a major under-achievement for this professional side.

Wales recall Singleton for must-win Italy game Published1 day agoWales players back Lynn '100%' before Italy game Published3 days agoFeeling the external pressureLynn was a serial winner at Gloucester-Hartpury but has yet to mastermind a Six Nations victory since taking charge in early 2025. A 10th loss in the competition - and a ninth defeat in a row in all Tests is not what the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had hoped for when making the appointment. Scrum-half Keira Bevan insists the players are 100% behind the head coach but questions are starting to be asked.

"He came into the job, he was successful with Hartpury, but he had no real experience of coaching at international level," said former Wales number eight Sioned Harries.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.