WALES have never been beaten by Italy at home in six attempts, but they will be wise to be wary of the Azzuri at the Millennium Stadium today.

It's their final game in this season's Six Nations and coach Steve Hansen's last time in charge gives the occasion added appeal even if there is far more at stake in Ireland and France.

Hansen's departure alone ought to be enough of a spur for Wales to achieve their second victory of the championship, even if they would be against the two weakest sides in the championship.

But Italy will arrive thirsting for revenge for their 27-15 defeat in the World Cup which meant they missed out on a place in the quarter-finals.

Coach John Kirwan and the Italian camp protested that their heavy schedule in the pool stages meant they had insufficient time to recover between matches.

This time it's the same for both sides, and a level playing field will ensure the Italians give it their all without starting under some kind of handicap.

They are clearly making progress, too, as their Six Nations results testify.

An opening 50-9 defeat by England in Rome was hardly a fair reflection of the way the game went, then they achieved only their third Six Nations triumph when they beat Scotland for the second time and they ran Ireland a lot closer than Wales did at Lansdowne Road, though the howling gale was a contributory factor.

The strength of the Italian pack is up front where Wales have been experiencing problems, and coach Kirwan is endeavouring to strengthen it further.

Props Martin Castrogiovanni and Andrea Lo Cicero are a match for anyone, locks Marco Bortolami and Santiago Dellape are a powerful pair while back row pair Aaron Persico and Andrea De Rossi are very capable.

All of which suggests Wales are in for a battle up front, especially considering the set piece problems which have blighted their season.

Ireland exposed the brittleness of their line-out, in particular, France turned the screw in the scrums and England exposed their weakness in both areas.

But Wales still managed to show some of the sparkle that lit up their World Cup performances against New Zealand and England.

So although Wales were beaten at Twickenham and lost those two World Cup-ties, they have earned worldwide recognition for the exciting way they can play when moving the ball and letting their scarlet runners off the leash.

The back three of Gareth Thomas, Rhys and Shane Williams rang the alarm bells at Twickenham where Wales stole into the lead, just as they had against the same opposition in the World Cup in Brisbane.

Gareth Cooper enjoyed his best game in a Wales jersey until the scrum half was surprisingly replaced after an hour, while stalwart Mark Taylor showed little sign of slowing up.

There is now a real air of expectation about this Welsh team whatever their set piece problems may be.

Given that Italy are nothing like as menacing behind, where they pose little real threat and where they miss former lynchpin Diego Dominguez, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that if the pack secure a share of the ball, or less even, they will be in business.

That is the real issue, for the Welsh forwards have been weakened, certainly in terms of size, by the loss of lock Brent Cockbain and back row forward Jonathan Thomas.

Gareth Llewellyn, who wins a record equalling 87th cap, and flanker Martyn Williams offer different attributes, but what Wales may lack in size they will make up in mobility and speed about the pitch.

They ought to have too much skill for the Italians and if they can repeat the purple patch of Twickenham then there will be only one outcome.

More of that flow, more of that style will not only ensure victory, but give coach Steve Hansen the perfect send-off and at least bring the curtain down on his time in charge of Wales on a winning note.

Despite one or two reservations about the Welsh pack, they ought to have enough in the tank to give Hansen that triumphant finale.