Wales name team for Italy match

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named his team to play Italy in the final round of the 2022 Six Nations at Principality Stadium on Saturday 19 March.

Captain Dan Biggar will win his 100th cap for Wales this weekend. He is joined in the starting line up by Alun Wyn Jones, who returns for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury against New Zealand in the autumn.

Jones will make his 150th appearance for Wales. Vice-captain Adam Beard partners Jones in the second row.

Dewi Lake makes his first start for Wales at hooker. He is joined by Gareth Thomas (loose-head prop) and Dillon Lewis (tight-head prop) in the front row.

For the second match in succession Seb Davies (blind-side flanker), Josh Navidi (open-side flanker) and Taulupe Faletau (No 8) make up the back row.

Gareth Davies is named at scrum half and will make his first start in this championship after featuring as a replacement against Ireland.

Uilisi Halaholo is selected for the first time this championship and partners Owen Watkin in the centre.

Johnny McNicholl is fullback, retuning to the starting line-up after an appearance on the wing against Ireland. Louis Rees-Zammit also returns to start – he and Josh Adams are on the wings.

Among the replacements Bradley Roberts could be in line to make his first Six Nations appearance. Wyn Jones and Leon Brown provide the other front row cover.  Will Rowlands and Ross Moriarty are also named. Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy and Nick Tompkins provide the back line cover.