Performance or result? What do Wales want?

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada was in no doubt when he stated Wales "must win" . In contrast, when asked directly about what was more important, Wales coach Steve Tandy and captain Dewi Lake both said performance. Lock Dafydd Jenkins, meanwhile, was asked whether winning or performing was more important at international level.

He went for winning. There were heavy caveats with Tandy's reaction. The Wales boss wants both elements and insisted the result will follow if the performance comes.

"Even if we got the result on Saturday it doesn't change what I believe in, we've got to get better in terms of performances," said Tandy. Sceptics of the performance-first theory point to the fact Wales could improve on encouraging displays during losses against Scotland and Ireland, but still conceivably suffer defeat at the hands of the Italians. Conversely, even if Wales' performance levels were to drop slightly, they could still triumph if Italy suffer an off-day.

With Welsh rugby in turmoil on and off the field , given the choice, what is going to satisfy the home fans in the expected 70,000 crowd at the Principality Stadium? An improved display in defeat or a positive result after a more underwhelming performance? Tandy's point is that a top-class showing should provide the outcome the squad and the fans desire, while Lake was asked whether he would take a 6-3 victory.