TAKE the Italians out early today and Wales will be well on the way to a second successive victory to send out the shockwaves to all their rivals in the Six Nations Championship.

For if Wales draw the sting of the confident Italians at the Stadio Flaminio they will be halfway towards gaining revenge for their shock defeat on the same ground two years ago.

That was Wales' only defeat at the hands of Italy in 12 games, and a memory they are anxious to put well and truly behind them.

But Italy are no mugs and proved that a week ago when they took the game to Ireland and shook the title favourites by twice storming into the lead.

Though Ireland eventually pulled away through the class of their backs they were nevertheless given a shaking before emerging 28-17 winners.

They are desperate for another success to get away from their reputation as Six Nations chopping blocks and they see Wales as a big opportunity for them, especially remembering their victory two years ago.

Knowing that they possess a powerhouse pack which is already earning a reputation, they intend going for it from the first whistle in a bid to unsettle Wales.

Coach Mike Ruddock and his team are well aware of what's coming and have planned accordingly. "We can't let them bombard us in our 22, we've got to be smarter than that," he said.

Consequently, don't expect anything very pretty from Wales early on. Half backs Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones can be expected to kick and kick high to turn the hefty Italian forwards and make them play on the retreat.

Once they have created uncertainty and even disarray the Welsh backs can be expected to move the ball and rely on the ability of players like Shane Williams and Gavin Henson to inflict some real damage.

So look for a big start from Wales because they know it's essential to draw the fire out of the Italians. If they take them out early they will be in business again.

Once more the focus will be on Henson with at least 4,000 Welsh fans in the sell-out 25,000 crowd and many more watching on TV expecting more heroics from the new sporting hero.

It'll be difficult for Italy to keep him quiet now that his confidence is sky high after the England game, and Wales can profit from the gaps he's likely to open up.

Wales could find it hard going up front, for an hour at least, but just as last week victory over England was a surprise, so it will be a major shock if they slip up on Italian territory again.