Following their last place finish in the Six Nations, Georgia challenged Wales to a Test match. Georgia, champions of Rugby Europe, extended the invite after their recent victory over Portugal. Wales, responding promptly, expressed interest in the match. The two teams have a history of close matches, with one win each in their last encounters. Georgia's victory over Wales in 2022 led to the firing of Wales head coach Wayne Pivac. Despite a poor Six Nations campaign, Wales made it to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup under coach Warren Gatland.
Italy, traditionally at the bottom of the Six Nations standings, showed improvement this year finishing in fifth place.