 Johnson has called for the Welsh fans to back their team |
Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson has thrown down the gauntlet to his players to recover from their heavy Six Nations defeat in Dublin by beating Italy. There is just one starting change for Saturday's match in Cardiff, with wing Shane Williams replacing Dafydd James.
"The boys have a second chance to prove what they are capable of and that the last outing was just a blip," he said.
"What we saw against Ireland wasn't us and my message to the fans is 'don't give up on us yet'."
Gavin Henson endured a terrible return to Test rugby in Dublin, playing just his fifth match of the season following injury and suspension.
He struggled after being called into action as a 19th-minute replacement for the injured Stephen Jones at fly-half but is retained among the replacements.
It was a bad scenario for Wales, who had been so keen to put to rest the recent controversy surrounding the departure of Mike Ruddock as Wales coach.
Jones has recovered from the dead leg he received against Ireland to start at the Millennium Stadium, but Blues stand-off Nick Robinson has been added to the bench to take the weight off Henson.
"Nicky Robinson comes onto the bench as direct cover for Stephen Jones at fly-half," Johnson added.
"We have retained Gavin Henson as cover for a number of positions in the backs.
"The philosophy here is to keep this side tight, we are a close-knit group and we have to ensure the performance will be in front of our home fans at the Millennium Stadium."
Johnson is hoping that Alix Popham will provide soem much-needed ball-carrying muscle from the bench.
The Llanelli Scarlets number eight produced a stand-out performance against Bath in the Powergen Cup semi-finals, his reward a call-up at the expense of Bath's Gareth Delve.
 Back-row Alix Popham will be a 'potent weapon' from the bench |
"Alix really played himself into the squad with his performance for the Scarlets on Saturday. He is getting what he deserves and forcing us to look at him in a different light," Johnson said.
"He will be a potent weapon for us from the bench if necessary.
"Italy will be strong, they are the biggest improvers in the championship, but that is exactly the test we need to get ourselves back on track.
"This season's championship is the most open in years, which is great for the competition.
"If we do our part well and get our performances right in the next two weeks who knows were we will end up, after all it's still our title to defend."
MMIX
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Alix Popham will be a potent weapon for us from the bench
