Six Nations: Rugby 'should copy football's last-day drama,' says Wales assistant coach Rob Howley ahead of Saturday's finale

Saturday's climax to the tournament has staggered kick-off times

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley (GETTY IMAGES)

The Wales assistant coach, Rob Howley, has called on Six Nations organisers to switch to a Premier League-style finale, with all three matches kicking off in unison on the final day.

He was speaking in reaction to the staggered kick-off times for tomorrow’s climax to the Championship, when Wales will be battling it out with Ireland and England – all three level on six points – to be crowned champions but find themselves in the disadvantaged position of playing their match against Italy first.

Ireland play next against Scotland at Murrayfield, with the tournament reaching its crescendo as England take on France at Twickenham.

Howley said: “I do really enjoy the last day of the Premier League football, where you have everyone listening to their radios, listening to the scores. You have the drama of that situation and it’s unique. It would be unique in rugby too – probably that should be the case in the Six Nations.

“Ultimately, in terms of all of us kicking off at the same time, there would be some drama in the game knowing what changes need to be made and the message you need to get on to the pitch.”

Wales have a sizeable points disadvantage to make up on England and Ireland, although the task has been made infinitely easier by Italy’s loss of their captain and talisman, Sergio Parisse, who has failed in his battle to recover from the foot injury sustained in the defeat to France. In addition, Italy have just a six-day turnaround from that game.

The official Six Nations trophy will be on a pedestal at Twickenham at the weekend, with a replica in Murrayfield. Should Wales pull off an unlikely Championship success in Rome – their third in four seasons – there will be no immediate silverware to speak of, something Howley and the rest of the Wales back-room staff are using to their advantage.

“With one trophy going to Edinburgh and one going to Twickenham, there’s huge motivation from within,” he said. “As a coach, you use everything possible to motivate your players and that is a motivating tool for us.

“It’s a common sense decision when you look at the points [difference] – 25 [to England] and 21 points [to Ireland] is a lot – but we’ve got the motivation to go out to win the game first and, if it’s on, we can then put the pressure on Ireland and England.

“Going first up it’s important we win, although I am not too sure what we do in the game will be enough. Ireland and England will have the opportunity after our game to know what they have to do.”

Wales could find an unlikely support act in the form of the Welsh international footballer, Gareth Bale, whose girlfriend’s sister is the girlfriend of Wales No 8 Toby Faletau. But in the build-up to the game, Faletau played down the link: “I’ve not spoken to Gareth, I’m not related to him am I? The girlfriends are sisters and that’s about it.”

Faletau did at least admit he had watched Bale’s last two games for Real Madrid. Whether Bale follows suit is another matter, likewise whether the fixture at the Stadio Flaminio can match Bale’s impending Clasico for pure drama.

For the Newport-Gwent Dragons forward, there is the hope it is a case of first come first served in the title race. “I’d rather it was this way around [the fixtures] but with us playing last,” he said.

“It’s not the case this time but it’s exciting for us to play first and then watch the other games with anticipation. We’ve put ourselves in the position now and, hopefully, we can take the last step. But we’ve got to win the game first.”

Italy (to face Wales in Rome, 12.30pm tomorrow) L McLean; L Sarto, L Morisi, A Masi, G Venditti; K Haimona, E Gori; M Rizzo, L Ghiraldini (capt), M Castrogiovanni, G Biagi, J Furno, F Minto, M Bergamasco, S Vunisa. Replacements A Manici, A De Marchi, D Chistolini, Q Geldenhuys, R Barbieri, G Palazzani, L Orquera, E Bacchin.

(Natwest)

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