Six changes for Wales as Rhys Webb returns for Italy clash

Kiwi, Gatland, 59, still looking for his first win in his second spell in charge of the nation, has opted to recall Ospreys Scrum-half Rhys Webb for his first start for his country since 2020.

Wales, looking to avenge their shock 22-21 defeat against the Italians at the Principality Stadium in last year’s competition also make two further changes to their back line.

Liam Williams returns to replace Leigh Halfpenny who is suffering with a tight hamstring at full-back, with Rio Dyer taking his place back in on the wing, with only a replacements birth for Gloucester back Louis Rees-Zammit who Gatland believes is still finding his feet after a long injury lay off.

There are also changes to the forward department with Dafydd Jenkins given the opportunity to partner Adam Beard in the second row, whilst there are recalls for Scarlet’s prop Wyn Jones and Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan.

The exciting youthful partnership of Mason Grady and Joe Hawkins will again continue at centre after providing a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing showing in the 20-10 defeat to England two weeks ago.

There is no place in the squad, however, for former captain Alun Wyn Jones who misses out, with Dan Biggar absent with a slight back injury.

Wales, bottom of the Six Nations table after defeats against Ireland, Scotland and England, face the prospect of winning the wooden spoon if they fail to beat the Italians and lose in Paris against France next weekend.

For Gatland, the game will be another balancing act in selection between the transition and development of the younger players in the side and their experienced counterparts to gain a result over Kieran Crowley’s side.

“We know we have to keep experience around those younger players. You can’t coach experience. Sometimes young players have to make mistakes and they learn from playing at the highest level, explained Gatland.”

“It’s an opportunity for a number of players. We haven’t picked Alun Wyn, something we’d spoken to him about. Jac Morgan comes in as we feel there’s an opportunity to put pressure on the ball. 

“We’re trying to get a handle on where we are and what we have to do. For a number of players, this could be their last year in a Wales jersey so there has to be that transition going forward. 

“We’re not quite where we want to be, but it’s about giving clear messages about the improvements we want to make.

“Rhys Webb gets an opportunity at nine. He’s been great in the squad; he brings that experience and a voice to that nine position. 

“For Rio [Dyer], we’ve been happy with him and he’s training well. He’s raw and has a lot to learn.

“I thought Leigh Halfpenny was outstanding defensively against England, but he had a tight hamstring, so he wasn’t available. 

“Liam [Williams] comes back and we’ve had a chat with him about the yellow cards. He’s got to just concentrate on playing rugby and playing to the letter of the law.

“There was a good debate at full-back. We discussed Louis [Rees-Zammit] playing there. He still hasn’t played a lot of rugby in terms of coming back from a relatively long injury with his ankle and we just felt with the way the game’s going to be and the pace of the game, that him coming off the bench and the impact he can have could be pretty important.”

The Azzurri are also winless in the competition despite vast improvements which have seen Kieran Crowley’s side run both France and Ireland last time out close in Rome. 

Whilst Gatland is cautious of the improvements of the Italians, he believes that if his Welsh side can improve their execution in offense and reduce the handling errors when in possession Wales can come away with the victory.

“We’ve done some good review stuff on Italy this week and where their strengths lie. They tend to play from everywhere, including their own 22, continued Gatland.”

“They’re definitely the most athletic side we’ve seen. They try to play a wide game and had some success, but they’ve also been squeezed. 

“Ireland changed defensively and put them under pressure. They’ll try to move the ball from their own 22 and play coast to coast.

“Getting guys on the ball is going to be important. If you get caught and get narrow, you’ll get punished.”

 “We’ve been disappointed with the results so far and for me, it’s hard to take as it’s the first time I’ve lost three games in the Six Nations with Wales. We’ve had a lot of things going on off the field as well but there are no excuses.

“The message to the players has been that we have to be smart in terms of the way we play, but we’ve also got to be brave and make sure that when the opportunities are on, we shift the ball. 

We have to keep scanning and looking at options and if there’s a chance to move the ball then we need to be brave and do it.”

Wales XV to play Italy

15 Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby), 14 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), 13 Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), 12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 11 Rio Dyer (Dragons), 10 Owen Williams (Ospreys), 9 Rhys Webb (Ospreys), 1 Wyn Jones (Scarlets), 2 Ken Owens (Scarlets, Captain), 3 Tomas Francis (Ospreys), 4 Adam Beard (Ospreys), 5 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), 6 Jac Morgan (Ospreys), 7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), 8 Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby).

Replacements

16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), 17 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), 18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), 19 Rhys Davies (Ospreys), 20 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), 21 Tomas Williams (Cardiff Rugby) 22 George North (Ospreys) 23 Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester).

(Lead image: Planet Rugby)