WALES need to keep cool as they attempt to put the heat on their rivals for the Six Nations title this afternoon with feisty wing Liam Williams pledging to ‘keep his head in the freezer’.

Warren Gatland’s men kick off Super Saturday with their clash with Italy (12.30pm) at the Stadio Olimpico followed by second-placed Ireland’s fixture in Scotland (2.30pm) and the finale that pits leaders England against France at Twickenham (5pm).

Wales need to pile on the points if they are to leave their title rivals needing to win handsomely, so an 80-minute push is required with all 23 players thinking clearly.

That is an aspect of Williams’ game that has improved dramatically since the summer when the winger was yellow-carded for a shoulder charge that saw a penalty try awarded in the closing stages of the heartbreaking loss to South Africa in Nelspruit.

The 23-year-old returned to regional duty with the Scarlets and promptly got sent off for two yellow cards against Ulster, with Wales assistant coach Rob Howley issuing a pre-autumn series demand for him to curb his enthusiasm.

“I’ve worked on my discipline since and it’s been going quite well,” he said. “I’m trying to handle certain situations differently: do what I have to do and then get out of there, instead of getting involved in stupid things.

“Flash points happen in every game and you just have to do your best and make sure you don’t give away penalties or whatever. Keep my body in the oven and my head in the freezer – that’s what I tell myself.”

Wales are huge favourites to win in Rome but are overwhelming underdogs to be celebrating a title win come 7pm.

Williams said: “There’s no pressure on us. We are on first, we’ll go out there, do the business and then sit back and watch the other matches.

“It would be huge for Wales (to win the title), heading towards the World Cup. But we know a lot of things need to happen for that to come to pass. All we can do is try to do our bit against Italy, and then keep our fingers crossed.”

A Welsh wing is yet to get over the whitewash in the tournament so far but it would be a huge boost to the title hopes if Williams and George North, who both earned selection ahead of Alex Cuthbert, get plenty of chances to stretch their legs.

Williams said: “We haven’t received much ball in attack, but there’s still a lot to do, such as taking high balls, chasing kicks, making tackles, clearing out at rucks – all of that helps the side.

“Even though we haven’t been running with ball in hand that much, we’ve still been kept busy.

“t would be nice for one of us to get on the scoresheet, but it isn’t about me or George getting across the line.

“It’s about the team. It doesn’t matter who is scoring as long as the team are winning, and the only thing that matters this Saturday is getting the job done as a side.”