Wales debutants can prosper from Six Nations experience – Joe Roberts
Winless Wales face a wooden spoon decider against Italy in Cardiff.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Joe Roberts has no doubt that the future is bright for Wales as a testing Guinness Six Nations campaign nears its conclusion.
Wales head into next Saturday’s Cardiff finale against Italy after suffering four successive defeats in this season’s tournament.
It has left them facing the possibility of a first wooden spoon since 2003, with Italy’s visit to Cardiff a shoot-out to avoid finishing bottom.
Italy have propped up the Six Nations table for eight seasons in a row, yet a 31-29 victory over Scotland has given them impetus to avoid that fate.
Wales will go into the game after a 45-24 loss against France, which followed defeats to Scotland, England and Ireland.
Roberts made his first Six Nations start in the France game, while Wales head coach Warren Gatland has handed Test debuts to five players during the competition – Cameron Winnett, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin.
A sizeable post-World Cup rebuilding job is under way, with Wales having gone into the Six Nations following the international retirements of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, unavailability of players like Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit, plus injuries suffered by Gareth Anscombe, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau, among others.
“That could be the best thing really, getting chucked in at the deep end sometimes,” Scarlets centre Roberts said.
“It’s sink or swim, really. Boys will be forced to perform.
“There is a lot of rugby to come, so hopefully I can get myself on that summer tour (to Australia) and get a bit more experience in this jersey. That is what this group needs as a whole.
“We need experienced players out there internationally, and come the end of the year there could be (new) boys with 10-plus caps in most positions.
“I fully back ourselves to put in performances and get wins. I have no doubt about that with this group.”
Wales led France 24-20 after an hour, but were then overpowered as Les Bleus ran in 25 unanswered points.
It was France’s fifth successive Six Nations win in the fixture, and also the most points Wales have conceded at home since the competition began 24 years ago.
Roberts added: “I think the last 15 minutes we might have overplayed a bit in our own half and our own 22. We went a bit lateral.
We are growing as a squad, and I am fully confident in the future we will be able to put games like that to bed with a bit of accuracy
“We took our foot off the gas and we weren’t as accurate as we could have been in the bigger moments. .
“We are growing as a squad, and I am fully confident in the future we will be able to put games like that to bed with a bit of accuracy.
“I am fully expecting the boys to go out there and get a win (against Italy). It is a hungry changing room.”