FROM the pressure of a title showdown at Twickenham to the expectation that comes with a Cardiff clash against Italy.

Wales bring an end to a tawdry week and an uninspiring Six Nations with what should be a turkey shoot against the Azzurri at Principality Stadium.

The right things have been said this week – in terms of rugby, more about the other stuff later – about the challenge of going up against the Italians.

They will be wounded after a hammering in Ireland. They are always a threat in the tight. In Sergio Parisse they have a player with the ability to inspire them to great things.

But Wales will win comfortably this afternoon. It may take some time to crack their visitors, as it did in Rome last year, but they will rack up the points.

Frankly the first game of the triple-header is the one that those who find it hard to keep hold of the remote control for eight hours will be prepared to miss.

Wales have never lost to Italy under Warren Gatland and the head coach will enjoy his 10th win against the Azzurri today, but very little can be read into this Test ahead of three daunting summer meetings with the All Blacks.

After a hugely disappointing display for 70 minutes in defeat in London there will be the expectation for the hosts to play with the intent and energy that had England's 14 men clinging on and praying for the final whistle.

Wales have talked about growing their game and they should get plenty of joy against an Italy side who have shipped 20 tries in four fixtures, nine to the Irish last weekend.

Like in Rome, the majority of those may come in the second half but expect the back three of Liam Williams, George North and Hallam Amos to go hunting for work.

Scrum-half Rhys Webb should add some spark on his first start since the ankle injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, flanker Justin Tipuric will probably shine (even if he does the Ospreys openside isn't a patch on injured captain Sam Warburton) while there is plenty of energy ready to be unleashed from the bench in Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ken Owens and especially abrasive back rower Ross Moriarty, who joins Amos in making his Six Nations debut.

But there will be nothing really to take into the tour to New Zealand. Even those who impress will be told 'yeah, but it was only Italy'.

There will be a capacity crowd at Principality Stadium and they will want to be entertained but even if the points are racked up in a free-flowing affair, the real stuff takes place after it.

The Ireland-Scotland game is an intriguing battle that should be nip-and-tuck – can Vern Cotter make it three wins on the spin with the improving Scots? – then there is the big one.

England, with Joe Marler on the bench despite his "gypsy boy" slur that was followed by daft comments by Gatland and Eddie Jones and a mystifying decision by Six Nations bosses to clear the loosehead, go in search of the Grand Slam in Paris.

Last year it was 'Super Saturday' featuring wins for Wales, Ireland and England. I expect a repeat, albeit with fewer tries in parts two and three.

Wales: L Williams, G North, J Davies, J Roberts, H Amos, D Biggar, R Webb, R Evans, S Baldwin, S Lee, B Davies, L Charteris, D Lydiate (captain), J Tipuric, T Faletau. Replacements: K Owens, G Jenkins, A Jarvis, J Ball, R Moriarty, G Davies, R Priestland, G Anscombe.

Italy: D Odiete, L Sarto, A Pratichetti, G Garcia, M Bellini, T Allan, G Palazzani, A Lovotti, D Giazzon, M Castrogiovanni, Q Geldenhuys, V Bernardo, F Minto, S Parisse (captain), A Zanni. Replacements: O Fabiani, M Zanusso, D Chistolini, J Sarto, A Steyn, A Lucchese, K Haimona, L McLean

Referee: Romain Poite (France)