Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half

A couple of mistakes bt the Italians early on but Wales have to absorb their opponent's first 20 minutes.

I am expecting the Italians to be 20% better than they have ever been because of the preparation under the new coaching team but the rain will be a great leveller. 

I'd say Wales need to read the game first and assess the situation for the first 20 mins of each half. 

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half

That's one of those dead legs for George North there. Knee into the side of the thigh. So painful. It's one of those pains that he will try and run off but it will build and build... 

Wales cannot afford to lose him. 

A couple of early knocks for Wales to cope with.

Wing George North looks in some discomfort despite a blast of the icy spray on his knee.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones has headed behind the scenes to mop up some blood. Cory Hill is on in his place for the time being.

Robert Jones
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 live

A decent start by both sides in terms of the defensive work for Italy, while Wales are keeping hold of the ball and doing the simple things well.

Luckily, the playing surface is in very good nick, we'll have to see how the ground cuts up after the first scrum.Because of the rain, that ball is going to be slick.

We are so used to seeing Leigh Halfpenny slot those from any distance really, so that will be a big disappointment.

Image source, Getty Images

Nope, a greasy ball, a less-than-optimum contact and Leigh Halfpenny comes up short.

Old school.

Dan Biggar hoofs an up and under into the soggy Roman sky.

It is not the best kick, but Italy have infringed, running some interference to prevent the Welsh chasers getting to full-back Edoardo Padovani.

Penalty to Wales and Leigh Halfpenny is going to take a pot-shot.

It is just outside the Italy 10-metre line, at the edge of his range....

We are up and running. Wales gather the ball safely off kick-off but Dan Biggar - hurried by a rapid Italy defence - misses touch with his kick upfield.

Conor O'Shea gives the Italian national anthem a bash up in the stands as Sergio Parisse and his team stand ramrod straight, hands over hearts, chins jutting out and give it their sergeant-major best.

Trackies off, game on. Kick-off is next.

Robert Jones
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 live

It's not ideal, the rain. These guys have been out there waiting for the anthems for a while and are certainly going to be wet before they start. 

Italy will want to slow Wales down and not give them any opportunity to get things going from the start.

A quick reminder of the cast list for today's piece of drama.

Italy: Padovani, Bisegni, Benvenuti, McLean, Venditti, Canna, Gori, Lovotti, Gega, Cittadini, Fuser, Biagi, Steyn, Mbanda, Parisse. Replacements: Ghiraldini, Panico, Ceccarelli, Furno, Minto, Bronzini, Allan, Campagnaro. 

Wales: Halfpenny, North, J. Davies, S. Williams, L. Williams, Biggar, Webb, Smith, Owens, Lee, Ball, A. Jones, Warburton, Tipuric, Moriarty. Replacements: Baldwin, Evans, Francis, Hill, King, G. Davies, S. Davies, Roberts.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella strides along the line, pressing flesh and dispensing small talk.

He is soaking up the rain in typical Italian style in a long woolen overcoat.

It is proper up-the-jumper rugby weather.

Anthem time.

It is fair piddling down as the two teams emerge from the tunnel at the Stadio Olympico.

Less little coffees in spring sunshine, more like a Rodney Parade mudbath. 

Robert Jones
Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 live

Wales were disappointing during the autumn. We have to look beyond that. Ireland, Scotland and England have taken the game to a different level the way they are looking to play.

It's not about power, bulldozing defences. It's about playing, looking for tries. Wales need to show that. I think over the next couple of years Wales need to adapt.

This is a tough game and Wales are notoriously poor starters. If they get a win, some momentum, that will put them in a good position moving forward.

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at Stadio Olimpico in Rome

Image source, getty

The only azure blue in Rome is on the shirts of the Italy team.

Grey clouds are scudding across the stadium and, as Wales coach Rob Howley had feared, it's started raining.

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea on whether the Six Nations needs to expand: "Rugby needs to expand, it needs teams that are competitive.

"But be very careful what you wish for. Never become arrogant - at some point Italy will be up and there will be other people who will be down."

On not having resources like other countries: "Some of the trips they have to make may seem trivial to other people, but it does make a difference when you're travelling after playing Argentina for 37 hours to play America four days later.

"Is that the way for a professional rugby player to travel? No. But to get money you need to win games."

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales in Rome

Image source, Getty Images

Italy's new coaching team of Conor O'Shea, Mike Catt and Brendan Venter have had an immediate effect on the Azzurri, guiding them to a first win over South Africa in the autumn.

And the Azzurri have another VIP to impress today, with the country's president Sergio Mattarella due to attend his first international rugby match.

Image source, Rex

One meaty handshake there.

Englishman JP Doyle is the matador in charge of controlling the bison.