English referee Christophe Ridley blows his whistle and Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi gets us under way.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy go into this game as favourites but they are wary of what Wales can do.

Head coach Gonzalo Quesada: "They produced amazing performances against Ireland and Scotland but you can be in these periods where the results are not there, not even if you play as well and fight as hard as they did and the stunning physicality they put in against Ireland.

"We are preparing mentally and physically to be ready for what will be, for me, the toughest game of the whole Six Nations."

Read the full preview from an Italy point of view here.

Sergio Parisse
Former Italy captain on BBC One

The coaching needs to be clever, they need to go on the pitch and be clear with what they want.

It’s important to be emotional as a coach, but also to be clear on how to get the best out of the players.

The atmosphere was terrific for Wales' game against Scotland in round three and there is loud backing for Steve Tandy's men again.

Rhys Carre got a loud cheer when his name was read out after his try-scoring heroics in Dublin.

The Principality Stadium pitch goes dark as the lights go out, the flames go up, music is loud and the teams gather in the tunnel.

Dewi Lake and Michele Lamaro lead out Wales and Italy.

We'll now have the anthems.

Steve Tandy speaking on BBC One - "I think both a win and a performance is achievable.

"The support has been amazing, and it’s carried us through. I think defence and our set piece is impressive.

"We’re getting really clean, not a lot of penalties and the discipline across our game has really improved.

"Our overall game has got better, and getting more back to back moments that will see us through today.

"I believe the more you’re connected, the more you can challenge them.

"It’s more being more consistent and improving our game today."

Gareth Davies
Former Wales fly-half & WRU chair Gareth Davies on BBC Radio Cymru

The forwards have made the difference for Wales, the scrums have been strong and that’s where the game can be won.

The players that have come through have played well, players like Wainwright, Mann and James have looked more comfortable and they’ve grown in confidence over the last two games.

Yes we haven’t won, but the confidence coming through is important.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland won the Triple Crown by beating Scotland 43-21 and they've also gone above France.

Les Bleus will win the title if they beat England tonight (20:10 GMT) or draw with a four-try bonus

Italy can no longer improve on their fourth-placed finish.

Wales fans... could this be the day your team ends their three-year wait for a Six Nations win?

Let us know how you're feeling ahead of today's kick-off by clicking on the yellow box on page.

Wales prop Rhys Carre chats to Sonja McLaughlan about his try-scoring heroics

Wales captain Dewi Lake led from the front with a typically physical performance against Ireland.

The Ospreys hooker want a repeat on home soil.

Image source, Getty Images

English referee Christophe Ridley will be in charge of Friday's game.

The official from Gloucestershire will be joined by England's Matthew Carley and Ireland's Eoghan Cross as his assistants.

Scotland's Mike Adamson is the television match official (TMO) with France's Eric Gauzins is in charge of the foul play review process (FPRO).

Italy are hunting a third win on the spin against Wales and they are favourites, even if the Azzurri have traditionally struggled in the fixture.

There have been Italian celebrations after five of 34 meetings with Wales on 28 wins to go with an 18-18 draw in Cardiff in 2006.

• 2025: Italy 22-15 Wales
• 2024: Wales 21-24 Italy
• 2023: Italy 17-29 Wales
• 2022: Wales 21-22 Italy
• 2021: Italy 7-48 Wales
• 2020: Wales 38-18 Italy
• 2020: Wales 42-0 Italy
• 2019: Italy 15-26 Wales
• 2018: Wales 38-14 Italy
• 2017: Italy 7-33 Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Wales rightly earned plenty of praise for their defensive effort in Dublin when they made 240 tackles, with flanker Alex Mann making 33 of them to set a new Six Nations record.

However, the Irish still won with a bonus point.

Across the history of the men's Six Nations, only two sides have conceded four or more tries in every match of a campaign.

Wales are in serious danger of joining the Italy sides from 2021 and 2023.

What is more important for Wales today, result or performance?

Here are the thoughts of Steve Tandy on the bid to end the Six Nations losing streak at 15.

Wales conceded four tries in Dublin but it was still an impressive defensive performance that featured a whopping 240 tackles.

Assistant coach Dan Lydiate was player of the Six Nations in 2012 because of his chop-tackling exploits and is encouraged by what he has seen.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Italy are favourites this weekend when they will hunt a third successive win at Principality Stadium.

The Azzurri stunned Wayne Pivac's Wales in 2022 when Ange Capuozzo - who is out injured this weekend - set up Edoardo Padovani for a last-gasp try that Paolo Garbisi converted.

They took the spoils 24-21 in 2024 when the scoreboard flattered Wales thanks to converted tries by Will Rowlands in the 79th minute and Mason Grady with the clock in the red.