Jac Morgan’s team still have something to play for on Saturday. (Image: Getty)
So, we head into Super Saturday, with fans anticipating a thrilling finish in the battle for the title. It’s France in pole position, and knowing a bonus point win over Scotland will guarantee first place, irrespective of what Ireland and do earlier in the day.
However, it’s not just the crowning of the 2025 champions that must be decided. At the bottom of the table, and Italy are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. The unwanted memento is traditionally given to the side that finishes last in the tournament, and the Welsh are the current holders after enduring a whitewash in 2024.
How does it stand between Wales and Italy?
The Azzurri go into the final weekend with the advantage in the fight for fifth. Their 22-15 win over Wales in Rome last month and gave Gonzalo Quesada’s side their only four points in the Championship so far.
However, what could prove critical is that the visitors scored two late tries that day to earn themselves a bonus point. Another late blitz in Scotland last weekend, where Sherratt’s men fought back to earn two more points by scoring four tries in a 35-29 loss, leaves them on three overall.
That means Italy lie just one point ahead of their rivals. Regarding points difference, Wales are better off with their tally of -65, superior to Italy’s -77.
Italy needs five points of Ireland to be sure of fifth place. (Image: Getty)
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Will Wales get the wooden spoon if Italy win?
This is where the complications start. Italy kick off their home game with Ireland at 2.15pm, and an unlikely bonus point win will confine Wales to bottom spot irrespective of their result against England in Cardiff (4.45pm).
An Italy win with less than four tries will still leave Quesada and co anxious. If Wales respond with a bonus-point victory over England, then the two bottom sides will finish level overall, meaning the points difference will dictate who avoids the notorious piece of cutlery.
A simpler scenario for Sherratt and co would be for Italy to lose and Wales to win. That would save the need for any calculators.
Can Wales lose and avoid the wooden spoon?
Somehow, Wales could end this tournament having lost all five games, and also their coach, and still not finish last. If Italy lose to Ireland, then a single point for the hosts against Steve Borthwick’s side will also mean points difference dictating the outcome. A repeat of Murrayfield and Wales losing to England but scoring four tries and being within seven points will see them leapfrog Italy altogether.
Never before has a side in the Five or Six Nations lost every game and avoided the wooden spoon. However, the introduction of bonus points in 2017 has suddenly meant the Dragons can make history this Saturday, albeit not the type fans or players would want to embrace on a regular basis.