RBS SIX NATIONS: Wales v Italy
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 March Kick-off: 1430 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website; full commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Wales prodigy Tom Prydie has been backed for glory by his record-breaking wing partner Shane Williams ahead of the youngster's debut against Italy.

Prydie, 18, will become Wales' youngest Test player and the youngest Five or Six Nations international when he runs out in Cardiff on Saturday.

2008 International Rugby Board Player of the Year Williams said:

"He's a young lad who has got all the talent to be a great player, a superstar even."

Williams, Wales' record try-scorer with 50 Test scores, will be on the opposite wing at the Millennium Stadium.

He is so full of confidence, it's scary - I wish I was half as confident as him at that age Shane Williams on Prydie

The 33-year-old two-time British and Irish Lions tourist is also a team-mate of Prydie's at the Ospreys, and he sees qualities in the teenager that he lacked at a similar age.

"I am delighted [Prydie] is having his chance on Saturday," said Williams.

"He has trained very well with the squad and I have no doubt he will go out and have a great game.

"He is an athlete and he works hard, not only in training, but off the field learning moves and calls. He's very professional.

"You have only got to watch him - he is so full of confidence, it's scary. I wish I was half as confident as him at that age.

"If I was 17 or 18 and just been told I was going to play for Wales, I would be doing cartwheels all day long, but he seems to take it in his stride. He's very chilled and relaxed.

"As the week goes on and the game gets closer and he gets caught up with the atmosphere and everything it might affect him a little bit, but I have no doubt he is going to go out and play to the best of his ability.

I've grown up watching players like Shane Williams, Stephen Jones and James Hook Tom Prydie

"I hope he takes his chance and has plenty more chances in the future."

Porthcawl's Prydie, who has been capped at Welsh Schools, Under-16 and Under-18 levels, will break Cardiff player Norman Biggs' 112-year record and become Wales' youngest player by 24 days.

Fellow wing Biggs made his Wales debut aged 18 years and 49 days in 1888 against New Zealand Natives, but Prydie will be 18 years and 25 days on Saturday.

Prydie, who will overtake England's Mathew Tait as the youngest Six Nations player, also made history as the youngest player to play in Europe when - aged just 17 - he made his Heineken Cup bow in December for the Ospreys against Viadana.

He also plays full-back, and, away from rugby, the 6ft 1in, 13st 10lb youngster has also shone in athletics, competing regularly as a sprinter for Welsh schools, and he is a keen golfer with a handicap of 12.

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"It has gone a bit quick this year," admitted Prydie. "From my 17th to 18th birthday, I am flying.

"I signed a contract with the Ospreys, was selected in the Wales squad and now I am playing.

"Since I was a kid, I always wanted to play for Wales. I've grown up watching players like Shane Williams, Stephen Jones and James Hook.

"Being with players of this calibre, professionals like these, you pick up lots of little things and tips on the field."

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley welcomed the inclusion of the new face, but says he was surprised that Prydie was chosen ahead of another youngster, Kristian Phillips.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," dual-code international Hadley told BBC Wales' Scrum V Radio programme.

"I wasn't surprised when Wales went for a youngster - without an A team it's very difficult for [coach] Warren Gatland to give players experience.

"But the way that Kristian has been playing for the Under-20s, I thought that he may have gone into the first team with Tom [Prydie] in the Under-20s.

"But the kid has got the opportunity, so good luck to him."

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