Wales: Warren Gatland backtracks on bold selections as key men reinstated ahead of ‘exciting’ wooden spoon clash
Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has reunited the centre partnership which proved so successful at the Rugby World Cup as they seek to avoid the wooden spoon.
After surprisingly missing the encounter against France, Nick Tompkins and George North both return to the XV to face Italy.
They replace Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts respectively, who both showed up well despite the team’s 45-24 defeat to France last weekend.
Similar to Round Three side
Gatland has effectively brought back the players that started against Ireland but missed out versus Les Bleus, with Alex Mann returning at blindside flanker for their final Six Nations match in 2024.
That means captain Dafydd Jenkins moves back to the second-row and Will Rowlands drops down to the Wales bench.
The only other alteration is at tighthead prop as Dillon Lewis comes into the front-row alongside hooker Elliot Dee and loosehead Gareth Thomas.
Behind them, Jenkins partners Adam Beard at lock, while the pack is completed by the loose trio of Mann, Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright.
In the backline, Tomos Williams and Sam Costelow are once again the half-backs, with Rio Dyer, Josh Adams and Cameron Winnett a potent-looking back three if they can get some quality ball.
Finally, among the replacements, Harri O’Connor is set to win his first cap. Alongside O’Connor is the similarly callow Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias (both one cap) and Mackenzie Martin (two caps).
There is a bit more experience in the shape of lock Rowlands and scrum-half Kieran Hardy, while the bench is completed by Ioan Lloyd and Mason Grady.
Gatland said: “This is an important game for us. We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win.
“Italy have quality players throughout the side and have been good at taking opportunities when they get them to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“We’re excited and will step up and welcome the challenge ahead. We’re still looking for that 80 minute performance and have spoken about needing to be better in the big moments especially.
“We understand that external pressure and expectation comes with international rugby. It’s about embracing that, continuing the hard work and fronting up in training to go out there and be accurate and disciplined on Saturday.”
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Wales team to face Italy
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)
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