After the resignation of Alun Michael as the first secretary of the Welsh Assembly, a local newspaper commissioned an opinion poll on who should be his successor: the Wales coach, Graham Henry, came fourth. Should Wales lose to Italy today, Henry would become as popular in the principality as Michael is.

Henry has enjoyed a longer honeymoon than any of his predecessors and has been hailed the redeemer - he revitalised a side which had been beaten by record margins by England, France and South Africa in fourth months in 1999 - but after three consecutive defeats he is feeling the heat.

"We are under pressure," he said. "It is not just about beating Italy but putting on a performance which augurs well for the future. We have not played to our potential since the victory over South Africa last June and we need a change in emphasis tactically. How we play is crucial."

"It's time to steady the ship and get us back on course," he added.

While Wales enjoyed a 60-21 romp in Treviso a year ago, their home record against Italy is one of diminishing returns: they won by 10 points in 1994, five in 1996 and only three two years ago. A narrow victory today would not put Henry in good heart for the March trip to Twickenham.

While the 36-3 defeat by France this month hardly reflected the difference between the sides, it did highlight Wales's deficiencies in attack, their lack of pace, slavish adherence to a flat back-line, failure to play for position and lack of authority.

Henry has sought a remedy by changing faces. Shane Williams is given his first start on the left wing and Allan Bateman returns to the centre in a roving role allowing him to run from deep in attack.

Geraint Lewis at wing forward will augment Henry's attacking game and should liberate the scrum-half Rob Howley. The return of the second-row Craig Quinnell will give Wales a ball-carrying alternative at forward to his brother Scott.

Winger Williams, though, faces a test of brute force with Italy opting to pick strongman Cristian Stoica - six inches taller and three stone four pounds heavier than the young Welshman - to oppose him.

Like Wales, Italy are coached by a New Zealander, Brad Johnstone, who was feted as a miracle worker after the opening day victory over Scotland.

"We did not play to our potential against Scotland," said Johnstone. "If we do against Wales, we will win. Henry has had an easier job than me this week because he has been kicking backsides. I have had to pull the heads of the players from the clouds.

"My goal was to achieve two wins in this tournament in my first year. That has not changed greatly, but the players are starting to believe in themselves so who knows what can happen?

"They call me Mr Pain - they are not used to a disciplined approach. They responded superbly against Scotland: it was a great team effort, though if you believe the media the only player we had was Diego Dominguez. All I can do is take them to the water. I cannot make them drink."

Dominguez and his opposite number Neil Jenkins are probably the best goal-kickers in the world but if it comes down to a shoot-out, Wales will have failed regardless of the result. "Italy are strong at forward and we have to get quick ball and move them around," said Henry.

Italy have kept London Irish's Mauro Rivaro at centre after he came on as replacement against Scotland while Giuseppe Lanzi comes in at lock.

Wales's phase game fazed Italy a year ago, but the former were on their way up then, while the latter were on their way down. The positions have been reversed and Henry, for the first time, needs a result.

Wales: S Howarth (Newport); G Thomas (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), A Bateman (Northampton), S Williams (Neath); N Jenkins (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff); P Rogers (Newport), G Jenkins (Swansea), D Young (Cardiff, capt), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Wyatt (Llanelli), G Lewis (Pontypridd), B Sinkinson (Neath), S Quinnell (Llanelli). Replacements: D James (Llanelli), S Jones (Llanelli), R Smith (Ebbw Vale), C Charvis (Swansea), I Gough (Pontypridd), S John (Cardiff), B Williams (Bristol).

Italy: M Pini (Narbonne); C Stoica (Narbonne), L Martin (Begles-Bordeaux), M Rivaro (London Irish), D Dallan (Treviso); D Dominguez (Stade Francais), A Troncon (Montferrand, capt); M Cuttitta (Calvisano), A Moscardi (Treviso), T Paoletti (Piacenza), G Lanzi (Calvisano), A Gritti (Treviso), C Checchinato (Treviso), M Bergamasco (Padova), V Visser (Treviso). Replacements: C Orlandi (Rovigo), A Moreno (Agen), L Travini (Dax), A Persico (Viadana), M Mazzantini (Treviso), A Scanavacca (Rovigo), JS Francesio (Viadana).

Referee: I Ramage (Scotland).

Touch judges: R Dickson (Scotland), J Jutge (France).