Six Nations
Wales prepared to use makeshift trophy
ESPN Staff
March 19, 2015
Jonathan Davies says Wales must focus on winning in Italy before chasing points © Getty Images
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Wales will make do with a makeshift trophy if they score enough points to secure the Six Nations title on Saturday, according to Jonathan Davies.

Wales head to Italy with a points difference of 25 less than leaders England but will look to exploit any tiredness in the Azzurri's ranks as they have a day fewer turnaround than the Welsh. If Wales rack up a cricket score in Rome, they will need Scotland and France to keep Ireland and England's attack at bay if they are to go from third to first on the final weekend.

The Six Nations organisers have decided to send their two trophies to Twickenham and Murrayfield so if Wales do put a haul of points on Italy and they end up victorious, they will have to wait until Sunday to get their hands on the silverware. Wales will be forced to improvise.

"I'm sure we'll find a trophy somewhere like a plastic cup or something," Wales centre Jonathan Davies said. "France can be amazing at times, although England have had a good defence all tournament, and Scotland won't want to finish on no wins. Fear the wounded animal in that case and hopefully France can turn up and do a job. They've done it in the past and they'll take confidence in the result against Italy, albeit in a scrappy game."

The pressure will be on Wales to rack up the points against Italy but Davies has emphasised the need for them to stay calm rather than looking to 'jouer' from the first minute.

"We're going to have to do something like that," Davies said. "After the effort of Saturday we came in yesterday and the boys were still a bit tired. But there was an edge about us today, we understand the task and we've been up against it before. We've got to go there, be confident and show what we can do.

"I think it's not falling into the trap of jouer as they say in France. Pressure seems to come on you then instead of the opposition. After the disappointment of France they'll have doubt in their minds and it's about us going out there and stamping our authority. It's about sealing that doubt and building from there."

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