George North and Nick Tompkins start in midfield while skipper Dafydd Jenkins returns to lock for Wales’ final Six Nations fixture against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Welsh are facing the wooden spoon having lost all four games in the championship this season, including a 45-24 home loss to France this past week.
Jenkins is back in the second row to partner Adam Beard, after being named at blindside flanker against Les Bleus, with Alex Mann taking back the No 6 jersey for the visit of the Azzurri.
North and Tompkins, surprising exclusions for the French clash, come in for Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin, who have dropped out of the matchday squad.
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The other changes to the starting lineup see flanker Alex Mann replace lock Will Rowlands to allow Jenkins to make his switch, while prop Dillon Lewis comes in for Keiron Assiratti in the front row.
Hooker Elliot Dee also retains his place having been a late replacement for the injured Ryan Elias against France.
“This is an important game for us. We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win,” head coach Warren Gatland told reporters on Wednesday.
“Italy have quality players throughout the side and have been good at taking opportunities when they get them to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“We’re excited and will step up and welcome the challenge ahead. We’re still looking for that 80 minute performance and have spoken about needing to be better in the big moments especially.
“We understand that external pressure and expectation comes with international rugby. It’s about embracing that, continuing the hard work and fronting up in training to go out there and be accurate and disciplined on Saturday.”
Wales – 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams; 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Subs: 16 Evan Lloyde, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
Photo: Joe Giddens/PA/BackpagePix
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
