MORGAN Stoddart is happy to continue playing through the pain barrier for Wales as they aim to build on their Six Nations victory over Scotland when they take on Italy at the Stadio Flaminio a week tomorrow.

The Scarlets full back/wing was called up for the opening fixture against England, partly because of injuries to Leigh Halfpenny and George North, but broke a bone in his hand during the game.

He had it strapped up for the Murrayfield match and took some pain killers. The hand remains swollen, but he makes light of it.

“It’s still cracked, but as last week went on I knew I’d be okay to play as long as I took some pain-killers and strapped it up,” he said.

“I can’t really remember how it happened, it was some time during the second half against England. I didn’t notice it happening.

“I’m happy to play in any position for Wales, I want to play full back for the Scarlets, but for Wales the key thing is being in the side and doing well for the team. But I don’t get any sick pay!

“Playing full back for Wales is something to think about long term, but I have a lot of things to work on to have a chance of replacing Lee Byrne.

“Leigh Halfpenny (who could return against Italy) is a quality player who has played well for Wales in the past and with him coming back they may pick him, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Stoddart doesn’t necessarily think the way to beat Italy is to play too wide a game, despite their strength being up front.

“We need to keep it tight then take our chances when they come along. I don’t think we can be too expansive, Ireland went down that road when they played them and kept turning the ball over. Italy just fed off their mistakes,” he said.

“I haven’t played against the Italian national team out there, but I have played against Treviso and Aironi. It’s a different kind of atmosphere from playing in England or Scotland, the crowd is different.

“But we need to take our chances better, we blew two or three that we should have taken against Scotland. We had 12 turnovers but only two tries, so we need to improve on that and keep the defence the same.

“Italy will be a tough game, Ireland made it hard work out there which proves how much Italy have moved on. They slipped up last week against England, but I don’t think that was a true reflection of where they are in playing terms.

“People will definitely expect us to win, but though we’re seen as favourites we realise how hard the task is to go over to Rome and beat Italy.

“It’s a potential banana skin and we’re all aware that Wales have slipped up out there in the past.”