Samson Lee focused only on Wales' game against Italy

By PA Sport

Image: Wales prop Samson Lee is ignoring outside distractions

Prop Samson Lee has not been distracted the comment made by Joe Marler, according to assistant coach Robin McBryde as Wales prepare to host Italy on Saturday.

Lee will go into Wales' Six Nations finale following a week dominated by the fall-out from England prop Marler's comment aimed at the Scarlets forward during their encounter at Twickenham.

The Welsh Rugby Union subsequently voiced its objection to Marler being cleared by the Six Nations of verbally abusing Lee in the match that England won 25-21.

World Rugby, the sport's governing body, also intervened on Thursday night, requesting further information from Six Nations organisers "in respect of the process that led to (the) decision" amid widespread concerns over the investigation and its verdict.

Image: Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde says the team still have a lot to play for

While Marler is on the bench for England's Grand Slam match against France in Paris on Saturday, Lee features in a Wales starting line-up charged with beating Italy for a 10th successive time in order to secure this season's Six Nations runners-up spot.

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Speaking during a press conference in Cardiff on Friday, forwards specialist McBryde said: "If you've ever had the pleasure of talking to Samson, you will find out that he is not distracted by things on the outside.

"I thought Samson was good last week. He needs to do a little bit more around the field perhaps, but so does everybody.

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"He will be looking to build on last week. Samson is just focused on his performance, and [fellow Wales prop] Rob Evans will be as well as he goes up against [Martin] Castrogiovanni."

Image: Dan Lydiate missed training but is expected to start against Italy

Captain Dan Lydiate, meanwhile, missed Wales' final training session ahead of the Italy encounter.

Lydiate remained at the team hotel due to what McBryde described as an ankle irritation, adding that it was purely a precautionary measure ahead of Saturday's match.

The Ospreys flanker, who is not classed as a doubt for the Italy game, has taken over as skipper from Sam Warburton, who was ruled out of the Principality Stadium encounter while he recovers from concussion.

"Dan has a little irritation in his ankle, so we left him back at the hotel for the captain's run," McBryde added.

"It's just precautionary and nothing major. He should be fit.

England head coach Eddie Jones has accused Wales of playing mind games over the Joe Marler incident to stop England winning the Six Nations Grand Slam.

"We have to get over last week and we're glad to have this game because we have an opportunity to put things right.

"We have the chance to finish second, which we haven't done for 36 years, so there is still a lot on the game in terms of our personal pride."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made four changes after defeat against England ended his side's title hopes, handing starts to wing Hallam Amos, scrum-half Rhys Webb, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Justin Tipuric.

Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau said: "Monday and Tuesday this week was tough for everyone, but we have to learn from it, move on and look forward to Italy.

"They [England] came out of the blocks firing, and we couldn't quite match them. We lost the battle of the gain line, and by the time the first half was gone, they were 16 points up."

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