Rees-Zammit and Jones are back as Wales make 7 changes for Italy

Wales coach Wayne Pivac has named a starting team to face Italy this Saturday in the Guinness Six Nations that shows seven changes from the 13-9 round four defeat to Grand Slam-chasing France last Friday - including the recall of Louis Rees-Zammit. The headline selection, though, will be the return of record caps holder Alun Wyn Jones for his first outing since suffering a shoulder injury against New Zealand in the autumn.

His return at lock sees Will Rowlands in one of three changes to the pack. Dewi Lake is promoted from the bench to start in place of the absent Ryan Elias while Dillon Lewis is in for another front row absentee, tighthead Tomas Francis.

There are four changes in the backs, starting at full-back where Johnny McNicholl takes over from Liam Williams. The Rees-Zammit stint on the Wales bench is also over as he gets the nod to start ahead of Alex Cuthbert.

Uilisi Halaholo is choses at inside centre in place of Jonathan Davies while a switch at scrum-half sees Gareth Davies start for the first time this year in place of Tomas Williams, who was an early injury departure against the French.

Meanwhile, Dan Biggar will win his 100th cap for Wales this weekend while he also retains the captaincy even though veteran skipper Jones is now back at lock. Pivac said: “We have made a few changes this week. With one game to go there are some players we need to see out there and put them in the match day 23.

“We have certainly selected a side which we think can get the job done. Clearly, that is what we are here for. There is an opportunity to move up that table, so we think this is an exciting team and one we are looking forward to seeing out there.

“Italy are a side that is improving. They have had some bad luck here and there and with a new coach transitioning we know it takes a bit of time. But we know they have got some very good rugby players and as you saw against Scotland they troubled them in that second half and for long periods of the first.

“So we are going to have to be on our game and we are very much looking forward to playing at home again this weekend. We had a good result against Scotland, gave the fans something to cheer about and came very close against an in-form France. Obviously disappointed we couldn’t get across the line for our fans there and we hope we can do that this weekend and finish on a high.

“We have said with other players reaching 100 appearances what an achievement that is and for Dan I know he has been looking forward to this moment for a long time. For him to achieve it with Al, who is also getting the milestone of 150 caps - which no other player has ever done - it is fitting for those two to share the day. They have played a lot of rugby together and have a healthy respect for each other. They have given so much for the game in Wales.”

WALES (vs Italy, Saturday)

15. Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets – 9 caps)

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 15 caps)

13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 30 caps)

12. Uilisi Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 99 caps), captain

9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 66 caps)

1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 9 caps)

2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 4 caps)

3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 37 caps)

4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 33 caps), vice-captain

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 149 caps)

6. Seb Davies (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)

7. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 29 caps)

8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby – 88 caps)

Replacements:

16. Bradley Roberts (Ulster Rugby – 1 cap)

17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 42 caps)

18. Leon Brown (Dragons – 21 caps)

19. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 17 caps)

20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons – 53 caps)

21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 10 caps)

22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears – 15 caps)

23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 19 caps)