'Italy not most important game in 20 years' - Gatland

Warren Gatland has been in charge for 150 games as Wales head coach

Men's Six Nations: Italy v Wales

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 8 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1 and S4C.

Head coach Warren Gatland has disagreed with claims that Saturday's Six Nations trip to face Italy in Rome is Wales' "biggest game for 15-20 years".

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar made the statement following the 43-0 hammering against France in Paris which extended Wales' losing Test sequence to 13 games.

Gatland first took charge of Wales for a 12-year period which ended in 2019 before returning for a second stint in December 2022.

The New Zealander has led Wales to Grand Slam success and World Cup semi-finals.

When asked whether it felt like Wales' biggest game for 20 years Gatland replied: "No it doesn't.

"We know the situation we're in with the amount of players and experience we've lost.

"We've been in some close games but unfortunately we haven't been able to get over the line. We know we're in a bit of a rebuilding phase and aware we've got some tough games in this competition.

"It's definitely not the biggest game Wales have had in 20 years.

"It's an important game for us. We're desperate to get a win. That's the most important thing."

Wales have not been beaten in Rome since 2007 and their last Six Nations victory was the away trip to Italy two years ago.

This has been followed by seven consecutive defeats in the tournament and defeat will leave Gatland's squad contemplating consecutive Wooden Spoons with home matches against Ireland and England and a trip to Scotland to come.

Another loss will also probably see Wales drop to a lowest position of 12th in the world rankings.

Gatland says a win could get "the monkey off your back and grow some confidence" with the previous international victory coming in October 2023 against Georgia.

"It would help players put their shoulders back a little bit and stand a little bit taller," said Gatland.

"Those are the important things for that because I know how hard they are working and how hard they are trying."

Gatland was also asked whether this was the biggest match of his Wales career.

"I haven't seen any of the external pressure," said Gatland.

"I try to stay away from that stuff. It's just making sure we focus on ourselves.

"If you absorb yourself in that, I don't see it as being positive in trying to portray to the players what we're asking them to do.

"We're asking them to be positive and have confidence and self belief. I look at every game as being very important."