Eddie James and Taulupe Faletau have been brought into Wales’ starting XV as Warren Gatland makes two changes for Saturday’s clash against Italy in Rome.
James, 22, comes in for his Six Nations debut at inside-centre in place of the injured Owen Watkin (knee), while experienced No 8 Faletau returns for his first Test appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Aaron Wainwright drops to the bench having been replaced through injury against France in Paris last week, with Tommy Reffell dropping out of the squad entirely.
The Times’ Martyn Ziegler reflects on France’s crushing 43-0 win over Wales in the Six Nations opener which heaped pressure on Warren Gatland
Wales’ 43-0 thrashing in France last Friday extended their record losing run to 13 Test matches, with that sequence including their last seven Six Nations games.
One of those was against Italy at the Principality Stadium on the final weekend of last year’s competition as Gatland’s side went down 24-21. The visitors also won in Cardiff in 2022, with Wales triumphing a year later – the last time they played in Rome.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Eddie James, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray.
More to follow…
Six Nations fixtures: Round Two
Saturday February 8
Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)
England vs France (4.45pm)
Sunday February 9
Scotland vs Ireland (3pm)
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