Honours even at that scrum but Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni kicks out on the full and Wales have a lineout in Italy territory.

Wales signal their intent by spreading the ball wide but the Italian blitz defence forces an early knock-on.

So we'll have the game's first scrum. Early tester.

We've had the anthems and Lleucu George gets us under way.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales will be hoping for a repeat of their last meeting with Italy... though I'm not sure Ioan Cunningham's blood pressure will be able to handle it.

Wales edged a dramatic contest against Italy in April to salvage some pride from their Women's Six Nations campaign.

Sisilia Tuipulotu - on the bench today after her late arrival due to a visa error - levelled the scores in the dying minutes before Lleucu George slotted over the match-winning conversion.

Wales’ other front rowers, Carys Phillips and Gwenllian Pyrs, were also on the scoresheet in a performance of grit and determination in front of a record crowd of 10,592 at the Principality Stadium.

But it was not enough to avoid finishing bottom of the table.

Italy scored through Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Francesca Granzotto and Emma Stevanin.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham says he and his professional players are in a “privileged position” and accepts criticism is part and parcel of the job.

They were beaten 37-5 by part-timers Australia in their WXV2 opener in Cape Town last weekend, which opened the floodgates for negative online comments.

Wales’ performance was described as “embarrassing” with “poor fitness, appalling tackling and inept tactics”.

One person said “the Welsh Rugby Union needs to consider why they are pumping money into the women’s game”, while calls for Cunningham to go was also a common theme.

Cunningham, who has been in the role since 2021, said he “100%” understood the reaction.

“The players are in a privileged position with regards to being offered the contracts and to be able to do the job that they’re doing,” he said.

“It is an honour and that comes with criticism, scrutiny and pressure.”

Read more.

Hannah Bluck has replaced the experienced Kerin Lake at centre.

No word yet on what's wrong with Lake.

• Wales have won 14 of their 23 meetings with Italy. That includes the previous two, but the Azzurre had lost just once in eight before that
• Wales won the last meeting, a 22-20 victory at the Principality Stadium in the 2024 Women's Six Nations
• Since 2010, 10 of the 14 games have been decided by seven points or fewer
• Wales' biggest win over Italy was the 36-10 victory in Parma in the 2023 Women’s Six Nations
• Wales' biggest loss was 22-5 in Padova in 2015 - the only time they have lost by more than seven to Italy

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham: "It’s going to be a close game, they are a good team with a very exciting and talented backline. Everything goes through (Beatrice) Rigoni, she is an exceptional player, so we are going to have to do our work on Friday to shut her time and space down.

"We can build on what we did in the Six Nations against them, but also if we can be more accurate with the ball and finish those opportunities we had against Australia, then I am confident that we can trouble Italy and go on and be successful."

Wales captain Hannah Jones: "Italy are a really exciting team, you're not quite sure how they are going to turn up on the day. They've got expansive rugby, they like to play width to width.

"It's about us focusing on the fix-ups from our last game and bringing our qualities.

"If you look at our team, the front row, you've got Carys Phillips who is throwing the darts, she's a brilliant player, a brilliant leader, we've got one of the best 10s in the game in Lleucu George with her boot, we've got Keira Bevan who is very composed and experienced, Kerin Lake with the go-forward ball in the centre and our back three is very exciting as well."

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

Whatever happens against Japan next week, you get the feeling Wales' WXV2 campaign will be judged on the outcome of this game.

It would be a huge step backwards if Wales lose against Italy - the only side they beat in this year's Women's Six Nations.

Win and they take momentum and confidence into next week, something they look to be considerably lacking after what has been, let's be honest, a really disappointing year for Ioan Cunningham's side.

To me, it all comes down to this.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy have made multiple changes among their forwards from the side that lost their opener 19-0 to Scotland.

A fit again Silvia Turani and Vittoria Vecchini come into the front row, with Giordana Duca named at lock.

Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini and Elisa Giordano make up a new-look back row.

The experienced Michela Sillari returns from a six-month injury lay-off to take her place in the midfield alongside danger player Beatrice Rigoni, who is Italy's top points scorer this year (26).

The half-backs and backline remain unchanged.

Italy: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; ⁠Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, ⁠Francesca Grantzotto; ⁠Emma Stevanin, ⁠Sofia Stefan, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, ⁠Sara Seye, Valeria Fedrighi, Giordana Duca, Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini, ⁠Elisa Giodano (capt).

Replacements: Laura Gurioli, Emanuela Stecca, ⁠⁠Vittoria Zanette, ⁠⁠Alessandra Frangipani, ⁠⁠Alissa Ranuccini, ⁠⁠Beatrice Veronese, ⁠⁠Sara Mannini, Beatrice Capomaggi.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Despite being outmuscled 37-5 by Australia in their opening WXV2 defeat, Wales have shown faith in their pack.

But they are boosted by the arrival of prop Sisilia Tuipulotu who has finally overcome visa delays to join the squad in South Africa.

A match-winner in the last meeting with Italy, Tuipulotu was a big miss last weekend and is poised to make an impact from the bench.

Hannah Jones has shaken off a calf niggle to resume her role as captain in the midfield, which sees Carys Cox move out to the wing and three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce to full-back in place of Jenny Hesketh.

There are three under-20s among the replacements in Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies and Alaw Pyrs, the latter being the younger sister of prop Gwenllian Pyrs.

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Carys Cox, Hannah Jones (capt), Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight.

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon and welcome to Cape Town for the second round of the WXV2.

Arguably, this could be Ioan Cunningham's most important game as Wales head coach.

It has been a disappointing year so far after the Six Nations campaign that was only saved from complete disaster by a last-gasp win over today's opponents, Italy.

And while a first ever win over Australia in a warm-up in Newport bought time, the hammering that followed against the same opposition last week in tournament rugby cancelled out that joy.

You would have to say that victory today is now a must, especially on the back of new bumper contracts for the Wales players.

So, let's take a look at the teams.