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Title-chasing Wales make two changes to their Six Nations XV to face Italy

09 Mar 2021

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Grand Slam-chasing Wales have made two changes to their XV to play Italy next Saturday in Rome, bringing Cory Hill and Gareth Davies into the side that beat England on February 27 to make it three wins from three in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations. Hill is the only change in the Triple Crown-winning pack, taking over from Adam Beard to partner captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.

The front row remains unchanged for the fourth successive game with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis packing down together. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau comprise the back row.

Davies, meanwhile, comes in to start at scrum-half alongside Dan Biggar, repacing the injured Kieran Hardy. Jonathan Davies and George North continue their Six Nations partnership in the Wales midfield with Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams named in the back three.

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“We are really looking forward to this weekend and are ready to get out there on Saturday,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac. “Three from three is a great start but there has been plenty to do and plenty of work-ons. We have had a two-week build-up to this game, trained really well in the fallow week and are looking forward to round four.”

Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre and Leon Brown comprise the front row replacements. Jake Ball, who could win his 50th test cap in Rome and Aaron Wainwright complete the forward contingent. Lloyd Williams, Callum Sheedy and Uilisi Halaholo provide the backline cover.

Test week ?? ?????????'? ??????. #ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/IXMDRc6WbJ
— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 9, 2021

Rhodri Jones has been released from the squad due to a calf injury suffered at training. He has been replaced by Ospreys prop Nicky Smith. Meanwhile, the following players will be released back to their respective regions for this weekend and will link back up with the national squad on Monday: Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin, Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins.

WALES (vs Italy, Saturday)
1. Wyn Jones (33 caps)
2. Ken Owens (80 caps)
3. Tomas Francis (55 caps)
4. Cory Hill (30 caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt – 146 caps)
6. Josh Navidi (26 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (83 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (84 caps)
9. Gareth Davies (60 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (90 caps)
11. Josh Adams (30 caps)
12. Jonathan Davies (86 caps)
13. George North (100 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (7 caps)
15. Liam Williams (69 caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (35 caps)
17. Rhys Carre (12 caps)
18. Leon Brown (15 caps)
19. Jake Ball (49 caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (28 caps)
21. Lloyd Williams (31 caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (7 caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (2 caps)

"As the doctor came on I put more weight on my leg and it just buckled"
– @dan_lydiate guested on this week's RugbyPass Offload talking ACL, his emotional @WelshRugbyUnion comeback and his fleeting time working with Wayne Pivac#sixnations https://t.co/RndUnOtsBU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 5, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍