By Elvira Pollina MILAN (Reuters) -Italy began the one-year countdown to the Winter Olympics on Thursday with a series of events designed to fuel enthusiasm for the Games that will be co-hosted by Milan and the Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Warren Gatland says that “everyone is aware of the situation” as Wales face a critical Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome. Wales are on the ropes, reeling from a record 13 successive Test match defeats and a 43-0 drubbing by France in their tournament opener.

A win over Warren Gatland’s charges, who have lost their last 13 Test matches in a row, would see Italy claim just their second back-to-back home win in the Championship history

WARREN GATLAND HAS dismissed the notion Wales are facing their biggest game for two decades against Italy on Saturday. Former Wales outside-half Dan Biggar described the Guinness Six Nations clash in Rome as Welsh rugby’s biggest game for the “last 15-20 years” after an opening 43-0 thrashing to France left Gatland’s side surveying a record-breaking 13th consecutive defeat.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are to host actor Stanley Tucci at a formal dinner on Friday evening to mark the confirmation of a state visit to Italy later this year. The royal couple will travel to Italy in April and meet Pope Francis and Italian leaders,