Warren Gatland will ring the changes for Wales © Getty Images

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Wales coach Warren Gatland will ring the changes for their final Six Nations game against Italy on Saturday following their dismal defeat to Ireland at Croke Park.

Gatland's options have increased with the return to fitness of skipper Ryan Jones as well as British & Irish Lions Mike Phillips and Gethin Jenkins. Defeat in Dublin followed demoralising losses to England and France, meaning that Wales can finish no higher than fourth and that for the ninth time in 11 Six Nations seasons they will not secure a top-three place.

If Scotland spring a surprise and avoid defeat against Ireland at Croke Park next weekend, then Saturday's Millennium Stadium losers will finish bottom and take the wooden spoon. Gatland could also call in Cardiff Blues openisde Sam Warburton for a first Six Nations start while fullback Lee Byrne will keep his place despite his sin-binning costing Wales 10 points against Ireland.

"We need to make sure we finish this campaign on a real high. We need to perform," Gatland said ahead of Tuesday's team announcement. "I've had a couple of bad days. I don't take defeat easily or performances that I don't think are acceptable."

Winger Shane Williams admitted that the squad will need to work hard on plugging the gaps in their defence. Wales have shipped 10 tries in four games, a stark contrast to their 2008 Grand Slam season when they conceded a miserly two in the whole tournament.

"Teams are causing us problems, although we are working hard at finding a fix," he said. "Our defence was bad, we made mistakes in key areas and left a few holes which Ireland utilised. Our lack of concentration at times cost us.

"We did not get in the right areas often enough, and you often get punished at international level when you make a mistake. I would love to have the answer to our problems because it is very frustrating. We will have to sit back, look at the footage and see where we are going wrong. Our discipline and kicking at times was quite poor, and you can't afford to do that, especially when you are up against such a quality outfit."