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Lee Byrne believes Wales are capable of shrugging off their French defeat and claiming the emphatic victory they need against Six Nations opponents Italy on Saturday.

But the full-back (pictured) also knows the reigning Six Nations champions need to eradicate the mistakes that riddled a below-par effort in Paris a fortnight ago.

Wales' 21-16 defeat against France dashed hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams for the first time since 1909.

But they can still claim a second successive title, courtesy of a comprehensive victory over the Azzurri, followed by success against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Cardiff next week.

"We are going in with confidence," said Byrne, one of just six survivors from Paris alongside wing Shane Williams, centre Jamie Roberts, scrum-half Mike Phillips, lock Alun-Wyn Jones and number eight Andy Powell.

"We want to put things right which would set us up against Ireland, but we've got to make fewer mistakes and hopefully we will click.

"If we do, we are capable of winning by more than 20 points, especially if we make less mistakes and do some damage out wide. I suppose everyone has got a point to prove.

"We've got to win the game first, be a bit more streetwise than we were against France and try to build a lead - then open up."

Italy have conceded 100 points and 12 tries in this season's Six Nations, although they beat Wales narrowly when the countries last met at Stadio Flaminio two years ago.

Byrne was not involved on that occasion, but his Millennium Stadium try double in last season's fixture helped Wales march relentlessly on towards a Grand Slam.

The key for Wales this weekend, though, is how they bounce back from losing at Stade de France - their first Six Nations defeat of head coach Warren Gatland's reign.

"You are going to lose now and again, and we lost in France," added Byrne.

"It was one of those days against France when things didn't go right, but hopefully we will correct it against Italy and it will be a different story.

"We were looking good against France (Wales led 13-3), then made some silly basic errors. We've all been told about it and we are hoping to bounce back.

"But it's a good thing we are still in the championship and can win the Triple Crown.

"Warren and Shaun (Edwards) said if we win the championship it would be more special as we've lost a game this time.

"We've played some good stuff, now it is time for one last push."

If Wales can launch their renowned attacking game tomorrow, then Byrne's Ospreys colleague Williams could be in record-breaking mode.

He needs one try to equal Gareth Thomas' Welsh record of eight against Italy, and two to draw level with Gareth Edwards as Wales' all-time highest championship try-scorer.

"Looking at the Six Nations table, it is obvious we need to get a big win to keep the pressure on Ireland," wrote Williams in his latest Powerade blog.

"But we can't get sidetracked by that, and our focus has to be simply to get a win.

"Having lost two of our last three games in Rome we know better than most how tough the Italians can be at home.

"We have been taught a lesson before, and are now under no illusions about how tough it could be again.

"There were some harsh truths spoken inside the camp after losing to France, but that is behind us now, and with the new faces coming in, we are ready to start winning again."

Teams

Italy: 15-Andrea Marcato, 14-Giulio Rubini, 13-Gonzalo Canale, 12-Mirco Bergamasco, 11-Matteo Pratichetti, 10-Luke McLean, 9-Paul Griffen; 8-Sergio Parisse (capt), 7-Mauro Bergamasco, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Marco Bortolami, 4-Santiago Dellape, 3-Carlos Nieto, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1-Salvatore Perugini

Replacements: 16-Franco Sbaraglini, 17-Martin Castrogiovanni, 18-Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19-Josh Sole, 20-Pablo Canavosio, 21-Luciano Orquera, 22-Roberto Quartaroli

Wales: 15-Lee Byrne, 14-Mark Jones, 13-Jamie Roberts, 12-Gavin Henson, 11-Shane Williams, 10-James Hook, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-John Yapp, 2-Huw Bennett, 3-Rhys Thomas, 4-Luke Charteris, 5-Alun-Wyn Jones (capt), 6-Jonathan Thomas, 7-Dafydd Jones, 8-Andy Powell.

Replacements: 16-Matthew Rees, 17-Gethin Jenkins, 18-Bradley Davies, 19-Ryan Jones, 20-Warren Fury, 21-Stephen Jones, 22-Tom Shanklin.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).

Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England) and David Changleng (Scotland).

Sporting Life / Eurosport