Injuries force Wales changes

Wales have made two changes to their front row for their Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Both changes are injury-enforced, as Rob Evans and Aaron Jarvis come into the starting XV in place of Gethin Jenkins (hamstring) and Samson Lee (Achilles).

There are a number of changes on the bench, where Jake Ball and Justin Tipuric return from injury. Hooker Ken Owens returns to the match-day squad for the first time since June, while Scarlets trio Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland and Scott Williams provide the backline cover.

There is, however, no place in the match-day squad for 98-cap veteran Mike Phillips, who has made way for the try-scoring prowess of Davies.

'It was great to get the result we wanted in front of our home supporters last weekend and to give us a chance going into the last round of action,' said Wales coach Warren Gatland. 'Obviously it's disappointing for Gethin and Samson, but Rob and Aaron stepped up well last weekend and we expect the same on Saturday.

'The challenge for us is to go to Italy and win, and try and win by a significant margin, but we know that's an extremely tough ask and the first job will be to simply get the result.

'Italy build their confidence around the scrum and lineout drive and that's an area we are going to have to compete strongly in at the start of the match.'

Wales – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.
Subs: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 22 Scott Williams.

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