Wales will travel to Nice on Saturday to spend the week preparing for the Italian test.
“The players have worked hard over the last couple of weeks and the players are aware of how important next week is,” said Gatland.
“We go to Nice tomorrow for the week and that’s going to be important for this group.”
Wales have also suffered notable injuries, losing number eight Aaron Wainwright and centre Owen Watkin in the first half.
A bloodied Wainwright took a blow to his head, while Watkin suffered a suspected serious knee injury that will require further assessment.
“They are not looking great,” said Gatland.
“Owen is in a brace with his knee, and it looks like it could be an ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] and Aaron needs another HIA [head injury assessment] and has quite a nasty gash in his face down through his lip.”
