Gatland looks to mix it up

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will give some of his fringe players a chance to impress against Italy when he names his team on Tuesday, eleven days before the game.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will give some of his fringe players a chance to impress against Italy when he names his team on Tuesday, eleven days before the game.

With two victories in the bag Gatland indicated after Saturday's 30-15 win over Scotland he planned to make some changes and he wants to give the new-look team maximum preparation time.

“I'm not talking wholesale changes but giving players who have been on the bench an opportunity to start,” Gatland said at the weekend.

“They will freshen us up, give enthusiasm and impetus.”

Experienced half-back pair Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel are in line to start against the Azzurri after coming off the bench to guide Wales to victory over Scotland.

Gatland was also impressed by the impact made by hooker Matthew Rees, number eight Gareth Delve and prop Gethin Jenkins, who will all be in with a shout of starting against an Italian side who pushed England close on Sunday.

The decision to name his team so early is the latest example of Gatland's willingness to break the mould as he attempts to shake up the Wales camp.

Already he has moved Wales out of the traditional home changing room at the Millennium Stadium, a small detail perhaps, but the new surroundings ensure every player can now see and hear the coaches.

Last week Gatland dropped Mark Jones and Alix Popham from the squad that had beaten England, and on Saturday he took the bold move of replacing both half-backs at the same time with 20 minutes remaining after Scotland had pegged Wales' lead back to 17-15.