Wales ' chances of lifting the RBS 6 Nations trophy could hinge on the fitness battle being waged by Italy captain Sergio Parisse . Warren Gatland ’ s men need a thumping victory over the Italians on Saturday to have a chance of overhauling England and Ireland , who both boast superior points differences . But Welsh hopes took a knock with news that Parisse , who limped off against France on Sunday , has been cleared of any serious damage to his right foot following an MRI scan in the Italian capital and hopes to recover for Thursday ’ s team announcement . Parisse revealed on Twitter that the soft-tissue injury is ‘ less severe than expected ’ and he could still feature alongside prop Martin Castrogiovanni , who is understood to have been recalled to the squad after suffering a serious dog bite on his nose three weeks ago . Today he tweeted an image of his foot in an ice bath in a bid to get fit for the clash . Sergio Parisse limped off during Italy 's defeat by France in Rome at the weekend . If Parisse plays he will be a major factor in Wales ' attempts to win the Six Nations . VIDEO Italy v France - extended highlights . The veteran Azzurri pair have 221 Tests between them and their experience could be a major obstacle to Welsh ambitions of securing the necessary landslide victory at the Stadio Olimpico . Wales kept themselves in contention for the title with a classic defensive display against Ireland on Saturday but , with the race likely to be decided by points difference , focus must now shift towards attack . If the trophy is going to head back to Cardiff , then Gatland ’ s side must burst open the floodgates of the River Tiber and better the scoring record of both England and Ireland . Having topped the tackle count at the Millennium Stadium with — according to the Welsh camp — a record-breaking 38 hits , Luke Charteris is hoping to keep his place in the second row . His side are up first in a triple-bill of fixtures and , with kick-offs staggered throughout the day , the 32-year-old has already decided how to kill the time as other results unfold . Wales beat Ireland 23-16 at the Millennium Stadium to force themselves into title contention . Warren Gatland knows his team need a large victory to overhaul England and Ireland . ‘ We ’ ll have to find some good Italian wine , ’ joked Charteris . ‘ First , you have to try to win the game . If you look any further than winning the game by a point then you become unstuck . ‘ That has happened in the past and as soon as you do that , you are disrespecting the opposition . If we can win , it gives us a chance . ‘ We saw just how good a team they are when they won in Scotland . I know a few of the boys so it will be a really tough game. ’ In an ideal scenario , Gatland would have had the option to keep the same starting XV that beat Ireland . But the Kiwi will be without tight-head prop Samson Lee , who was sent to London yesterday to seek specialist advice on a potentially World Cup-threatening Achilles injury . The front-row problems have been compounded by doubts over Richard Hibbard and Gethin Jenkins — prompting call-ups for Exeter ’ s Tomas Francis and Saracens ’ Rhys Gill , but not Adam Jones . Gatland 's Wales side have a +12 points difference , 25 behind England and 21 adrift of Ireland . Jonathan Davies and Dan Biggar share a joke during a Wales training session . The 34-year-old British Lion has hinted that he could be drawn out of retirement , however Welsh forwards coach Robin McBryde insists the onus is on the player to reverse his decision . ‘ We would be open to a call from him , ’ said McBryde . ‘ It was his decision to hang up his boots on the international front . I still have his number , but there ’ s no need to call him at the moment . As far as I ’ m concerned , he ’ s announced his retirement and , until he changes his mind , at the moment we have enough strength in depth. ’ McBryde moved to allay concerns over Jamie Roberts after the 28-year-old was brought off with a head injury against Ireland . The Racing Metro centre has been a mainstay throughout the competition but , in Scott Williams , Wales have attack-minded cover that could exploit Italian weaknesses in the final quarter . ‘ We have seen so far that up until the 60-minute mark Italy have been in the game and competing , ’ said McBryde . ‘ They will be hugely disappointed with their performance against France and I am sure they will be looking to finish on a high , so that makes them more dangerous . We are dealing with a wounded animal . ‘ Saturday was a hugely physical Test and some of the players ’ reactions following that match reflected the intensity . ‘ The fact they have come out of that match on top makes the bruises feel that little less painful . The spirit is good and , by still being in the hunt for the title , everyone has come in with an appetite and an edge to build on the momentum . ’
Sergio Parisse could be fit for Italy 's clash with Wales in Rome . The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker has been ruled out of the game after suffering a thigh injury during training on Thursday.