Samson Lee ‘not distracted’ by Joe Marler controversy

Wales v Italy, Cardiff, Saturday 2,30pm

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde says that prop Samson Lee is not someone "distracted by things on the outside".

Lee will go into Wales's Six Nations finale against Italy after a week dominated by fall-out from England prop Joe Marler's "gypsy boy" comment that he aimed at the Scarlets forward last week.

The Welsh Rugby Union subsequently voiced objection to Marler being cleared by the Six Nations of verbally abusing Lee during the Twickenham clash that England won 25-21.

On Thursday, World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, requested further information from Six Nations organisers “in respect of the process that led to the decision” amid widespread concerns over the investigation and its verdict.

While Marler is on the bench for England’s Grand Slam mission against France, Lee features in a Wales team charged with beating Italy for a 10th successive time and securing this season’s runners-up spot.

Specialist

Speaking during a press conference in Cardiff on Friday, forwards specialist McBryde said: “If you’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to Samson, you will find out that he is not distracted by things on the outside.

“I thought Samson was good last week. He needs to do a little bit more around the field perhaps, but so does everybody.

“He will be looking to build on last week. Samson is just focused on his performance, and Rob Evans [Lee’s fellow Wales prop] will be as well, as he goes up against [Martin] Castrogiovanni.”

Captain Dan Lydiate, meanwhile, missed Wales’ final training session ahead of the Italy encounter.

Lydiate remained at the team hotel due to what McBryde described as an ankle irritation, adding that it was purely a precautionary measure ahead of Saturday’s clash.

The Ospreys flanker, who is not classed as a doubt for the Italy game, has taken over as skipper from Sam Warburton, who was ruled out of the Principality Stadium encounter while he recovers from concussion.

“Dan has a little irritation in his ankle, so we left him back at the hotel for the captain’s run,” McBryde added.

“It’s just precautionary and nothing major. He should be fit.

“We have to get over last week and we’re glad to have this game because we have an opportunity to put things right.

“We have the chance to finish second, which we haven’t done for 36 years, so there is still a lot on the game in terms of our personal pride.”

Title hopes

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made four changes after the defeat against England ended his side's title hopes, handing starts to wing Hallam Amos, scrumhalf Rhys Webb, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Justin Tipuric.

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau said: “Monday and Tuesday this week was tough for everyone, but we have to learn from it, move on and look forward to Italy.

“They [England] came out of the blocks firing, and we couldn’t quite match them. We lost the battle of the gainline, and by the time the first half was gone they were 16 points up.

“Everybody wants to win the championship, and we are disappointed we are not going to do that this year, but we just have to finish as high as possible.”

WALES: L Williams (Scarlets); G North (Northampton), J Davies (Clermont Auvergne), J Roberts (Harlequins), H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); D Biggar (Ospreys), R Webb (Ospreys); R Evans (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), B Davies (Wasps), L Charteris (Racing 92), D Lydiate (Ospreys, capt), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jarvis (Ospreys), J Ball (Scarlets), R Moriarty (Gloucester), G Davies (Scarlets), R Priestland (Bath), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).

ITALY: D Odiete (Mogliano); L Sarto (Zebre), A Pratichetti (Treviso), G Garcia (Zebre), M Bellini (Padova); T Allan (Perpignan), G Palazzani (Zebre); A Lovotti (Zebre), D Giazzon (Treviso), M Castrogiovanni (Racing 92); Q Geldenhuys (Zebre), V Bernabo (Zebre); F Minto (Treviso), A Zanni (Treviso), S Parisse (Stade Francais, capt).

Replacements: O Fabiani (Zebre), M Zanusso (Treviso), D Chistolini (Zebre), J Sarto (Zebre), A Steyn (Treviso), A Lucchese (Treviso), K Haimona (Zebre), L McLean (Treviso).

Referee: Romain Poite (France). Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) and Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa).