Taulupe Faletau and Eddie James are the only changes to the Wales XV as they travel to Rome for a critical match in their Six Nations campaign.

Faletau was not fit enough for the matchday squad last Friday against France, where Wales lost 43-0. The Cardiff back row replaces Aaron Wainwright, who drops to the bench, with Tommy Reffell left out of the 23.

Wainwright left the field at the Stade de France after less than 10 minutes due to a nasty looking facial injury that was initial suspected to be a broken cheek bone. However, the Dragons forward has not broken any bones, nor suffered concussion symptoms, so if fit enough for the bench.

James is the other beneficiary of Wales’s injury woes, with the Scarlets centre replacing the injured Owen Watkin at inside centre. He will partner Nick Tompkins who keeps his place in the 13 jersey.

Gatland Keeps it consistent

The rest of the backline is unchanged, with halfbacks Tomos Williams and Ben Thomas retaining their places.

With Wales expected to look to the skies in Rome, a back three of Josh Adams, Liam Williams, and Tom Rogers are well equipped for an arial battle with their Italian counterparts.

The much improved front row is also unchanged, with Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, and Henry Thomas all impressing in a losing cause last week.

Dafydd Jenkins starts his second match in a Welsh shirt in a row since his return from injury, and will pack down next to Will Rowlands.

Big Faletau Boost

Wales have missed Faletau in the 18 months since his last international appearance during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Without the baggage of 2024, and with plenty of winning international experience, Faletau’s return is a massive boost for Gatland.

On either side of Faletau are captain Jac Morgan and James Botham. Morgan was in inspired form in Paris, making 17 tackles in the first half alone and carrying for over a 100 metres.

With Dewi Lake injured and Wainwright off early, Wales missed the carrying that Faletau will now provide against Italy.

Biggest Game in a decade?

On ITV, following the conclusion of the France match, former Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar said that his country’s next match against Italy represents their biggest match in ’15 or 20 years’.

Considering Biggar himself played in Grand Slam matches and World Cup semi finals in the red of Wales, he seems well placed to make that assessment.

With Italy vs Wales suddenly looking like a Wooden Spoon decider, Warren Gatland’s job hangs in the balance as back-to-back bottom place finishes will not be tolerated by the WRU.

As Gatland choses to stick, rather than twist, with his squad selection, Wales will be relying on building some consistency against the home side.

Italy make minimal changes

Wales’s hosts on Saturday have only made a couple of changes themselves, with Benetton’s Niccolò Cannone replacing Dino Lamb in the second row, and Jacopo Trulla the new addition to the bench, as he replaces the injured Simone Gesi.

Despite Italy’s recent success against Wales, beating them in 2022 and 2024, Wales have not lost an away match against Saturday’s opponents since 2007, before Warren Gatland’s first tenure as head coach.

Teams

Wales

Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas; Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands; James Botham, Jac Morgan (capt), Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements

Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.

Italy

Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Nicollo Cannone, Frederico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michelle Lamaro (capt), Lorenzo Cannonne.

Replacements

Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzioli, Marco Riccioni, Dino Lamb, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacopo Trulla.

---

Sportin Wales’s coverage of the men’s and U20’s Six Nations is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this spring for free on S4C and S4C Clic.

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.