Team Announcement: Italy vs Wales
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Two teams looking to kickstart their 2023 Guinness Six Nations campaigns meet in Rome on Saturday as Italy and Wales get Round 4 off to a flyer.
Italy sit one place ahead of their visitors by virtue of the try bonus point they secured against France on the opening weekend, with Wales yet to get off the mark this year.
Warren Gatland’s side will look for that to change this weekend as the Kiwi seeks his first win since returning to the hotseat.
ITALY TEAM NEWS
Ange Capuozzo lit up this fixture last year as Italy recorded a famous win at Principality Stadium but injury rules him out this time around.
Tommaso Allan comes in at full-back in the only change to the Azzurri side who gave Ireland a scare a fortnight ago, with the Harlequins man set to earn his 70th cap.
Paolo Garbisi continues at fly-half, with Michele Lamaro captaining the side from the back row.
Wales Team News
Rhys Webb, named at scrum half, will make his first start for Wales in this year’s Championship. Owen Williams is at fly half.
Rio Dyer and Josh Adams are selected on the wings with Liam Williams returning at full back. Mason Grady, who won his first senior international cap against England at Principality Stadium in round three, and Joe Hawkins continue in the Wales midfield.
Wyn Jones returns at loose-head prop to join captain Ken Owens (hooker) and Tomas Francis (tight-head prop) in the front row. Dafydd Jenkins makes his second start for Wales, partnering Adam Beard in the second row.
The Wales pack is completed with a back row of Jac Morgan (blind-side flanker), Justin Tipuric (open-side flanker) and Taulupe Faletau (No 8).