WALES Women are aiming for more home comfort when they finish off their Six Nations campaign against Italy at Aberavon on Sunday (kick-off 2pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Rhys Edwards’ side have already enjoyed successes against Scotland and France at Neath and want to make it a clean sweep on Welsh soil by triumphing at Talbot Athletic Ground.

They host the Italians on the back of an encouraging performance in defeat to England at Twickenham Stoop, showing plenty of defensive tenacity before going down 20-13.

Wales have made progress in 2016 – and have achieved their primary objective of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Ireland – and lock Siwan Lillicrap wants to finish on a high.

“We’ve really developed as the campaign has gone on, after losing to Ireland the wins against Scotland and France were really big for us,” said the 28-year-old Ospreys and Skewen forward.

“The England game, when we were in it until the 80th minute, showed that we have come a long way. Our defence was superb and they struggled to break us, so that gives us confidence for Italy.

“Winning all our home games would be a definite step in the right direction after only having one win last year.”

The Italians won 22-5 when the sides met in Padova last year and beat Scotland in round three and pushed Ireland hard in Dublin last weekend but Lillicrap believes Wales are a side on the up as they prepare for a big 2017.

“If we take belief from the performance and play with the intensity that we have shown then we can be a threat at the World Cup,” she said.

“As a squad we are really gelling and bouncing off each other well, which has shown as the competition has progressed and there is more to come over the next 18 months.”

“Italy are a tough side but we are on home turf and as a squad we believe we can win. They will come all guns blazing but we are confident we can deal with it,” she continued.

Wales: Adi Taviner, Bethan Dainton, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Elen Evans, Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan, Megan York, Carys Phillips, Amy Evans, Shona Powell-Hughes, Siwan Lillicrap, Rachel Taylor (captain), Sian Williams, Sioned Harries/Alisha Butchers. Replacements: Amy Price, Cerys Hale, Catrin Edwards, Rebecca Rowe, Harries/Butchers, Elinor Snowsill, Gemma Rowland, Dyddgu Hywel