Wales use Italy Six Nations trip to test strength in depth for World Cup

Warren Gatland will field all 31 of the players he has taken to France and Italy as he looks to prepare his players for JapanEach country had an extended break in the Five Nations, the odd number of teams in the tournament meaning someone sat out a round, which were then every two weeks. It is almost like that now with six as sides tend to use the fixture against Italy as an opportunity to rest players. For all the effervescent enthusiasm of their head coach, Conor O’Shea, Italy’s results – 18 straight defeats, all bar two by a double-figure margin – raise questions about the value they bring.…