Wales fly-half Stephen Jones expects coach Warren Gatland to make changes for the RBS 6 Nations finale against Italy.

Gatland, left angry and hurt by his team's tame 27-12 loss to Ireland in Dublin three days ago, could recall fit-again British and Irish Lions trio Ryan Jones, Mike Phillips and Gethin Jenkins.

And Scarlets number 10 Jones will find himself under pressure if Gatland ponders switching James Hook from centre or handing young Ospreys playmaker Dan Biggar a start in the team due to be announced later today.

"I am sure there will be changes made," said Jones, who kicked all of Wales' points at Croke Park.

"We didn't play to our potential - the performance against Ireland wasn't good enough. We were below-par in certain areas.

"The coaches are hugely disappointed, as are the players. It is about us putting some pride back in the jersey."

Gatland, meanwhile, has vowed there can be no hiding place for his underperforming squad.

"The time has come when the players are going to go through some pain this week," he said.

"They will go through some pain at training that they probably haven't experienced before.

"For me, it is putting the players under a lot of pressure at training, and if they make mistakes or errors there will be a few punishments.

"I think we need to go through a bit of pain.

"The coaching staff are hurting, the players are hurting, and we've got to give a response and performance on Saturday that reflects how important this is to us.

"I know the players have seen us as coaches going through some pain. We are desperately hurting, so if we are going to hurt this bad then so are they.

"I am just being honest and giving an honest assessment of how disappointed I am."

Wales were outscored 3-0 on tries by Ireland, two of those touchdowns arriving when full-back Lee Byrne was off the pitch after being sin-binned.

Despite Byrne's costly error, though, Gatland has confirmed he will be available for selection to face Italy.

For the ninth time in 11 seasons of Six Nations rugby, Wales will fail to secure a top-three championship finish.

They can finish no higher than fourth this time around, while the wooden spoon is still a possibility, albeit a remote one.

For Wales to finish bottom, Italy must win in Cardiff and Scotland avoid defeat against Ireland at Croke Park.

"I am pretty gutted and disappointed with our performance (against Ireland)," added Gatland.

"I think, for all of us, this week is about finishing the tournament on a positive note and playing some good rugby. It's crucial.

"I am not going to hide away from that fact.

"We need to perform, and we need to put our hands up as coaches and take some responsibility - not just the players - and deliver a performance, or we need to look at ourselves."