Steve Tandy has opted for an unchanged Wales starting XV for his side’s final Six Nations match with Italy at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

The only change to the squad is back three player Blair Murray returning to the bench in place of Louie Hennessey, who made his debut last week in the 27-17 defeat to Ireland.

Wales have been much improved in recent weeks, particularly against Ireland, where they made a staggering 240 tackles.

The main protagonists from that game remain, with the pack unchanged.

Rhys Carre, fresh off the back of that sensational solo try, comes into the game as Wales’ top try scorer in the campaign, and packs down in the front row alongside captain Dewi Lake and Tomas Francis.

Ben Carter, who has been the quiet revelation of this Six Nations, continues in the second row with Dafydd Jenkins, while the hard working back row of Alex Mann, James Botham, and Aaron Wainwright get another chance to show their quality.

There was a small doubt to Wainwright’s name, with the Dragons number eight only just making the starting XV for Ireland due to a knock and going off early in that game at the Aviva, but he makes it through to start here.

Sam Costelow – another who had a race to prove his fitness – is overlooked in place of Dan Edwards, who continues his halfback partnership with Tomos Williams.

Scarlets pair Joe Hawkins and Eddie James are once again picked in the centres, with James looking to continue his good form in this series.

The back three also remains the same, with Louis Rees-Zammit again at fullback, and Josh Adams and Ellis Mee on the wings.

The aforementioned Blair Murray is the only change on the bench and takes the 23 shirt, with Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, and Jarrod Evans all keeping their places.

“Having an unchanged team, I think it reflects the cohesion and the consistency in the group and the consistency of performance out in Ireland,” Tandy said.

“This week we need to go up another level. We’ve had some really good performances. I think there were parts against France, then we built up into the Scotland game where I thought we were very good. Against Ireland we stepped up to the plate physically. Now it’s putting it all together and creating our best performance this weekend.”

On being back at home for our final match of the Championship, Tandy added: “For the team and myself, going back to Principality Stadium is amazing.

“The boys did really well creating their own energy against Ireland, but there’s nothing better. The boys reference in meetings what the Scotland game meant to them and the French game, the New Zealand game – the fans have been incredible and I think they’re really behind the team and the team are really putting in performances to represent our nation.”

Team News

Wales

Louis Rees-Zammit; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Tomas Francis; Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter; Alex Mann, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements

Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Blair Murray.

Italy

Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Muhamed Hasa; Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zulani, Lorenzo Cannone.

Replacements

Tommaso di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Stephen Varney, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Allan.

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