WALES senior men’s head coach Wayne Pivac has named his team to play Italy in the final round of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations at Principality Stadium on Saturday 19 March (KO 2.15pm live on BBC and S4C).
Captain Dan Biggar will win his 100th cap for Wales this weekend. He is joined in the starting line up by Alun Wyn Jones, who returns for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury against New Zealand in the autumn.
Jones will make his 150th appearance for Wales. Vice-captain Adam Beard partners Jones in the second row.
Dewi Lake makes his first start for Wales at hooker. He is joined by Gareth Thomas (loose-head prop) and Dillon Lewis (tight-head prop) in the front row.
For the second-match in succession Seb Davies (blind-side flanker), Josh Navidi (open-side flanker) and Taulupe Faletau (number 8) make up the back row.
Gareth Davies is named at scrum half and will make his first start in this Championship after featuring as a replacement against Ireland.
Uilisi Halaholo is selected for the first time this Championship and partners Owen Watkin in the centre.
Johnny McNicholl is fullback, retuning to the starting line-up after an appearance on the wing against Ireland. Louis Rees-Zammit also returns to start – he and Josh Adams are on the wings.
Among the replacements Bradley Roberts could be in line to make his first Six Nations appearance. Wyn Jones and Leon Brown provide the other front row cover. Will Rowlands and Ross Moriarty are also named. Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy and Nick Tompkins provide the back line cover.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’ve made a few changes this week. With one game to go there are some players we need to see out there and put them in the match day 23.
“We’ve certainly selected a side which we think can get the job done. Clearly that’s what we’re here for. There’s an opportunity to move up that table, so we think this is an exciting team and one we’re looking forward to seeing out there.
“Italy are a side that’s improving, they’ve had some bad luck here and there and with a new coach transitioning we know it takes a bit of time.
“But we know they’ve got some very good rugby players and as you saw against Scotland they troubled them in that second half and for long periods of the first. So we’re going to have to be on our game and we’re very much looking forward to playing at home again this weekend.
“We had a good result against Scotland, gave the fans something to cheer about and came very close against an in form France. Obviously disappointed we couldn’t get across the line for our fans there and we hope we can do that this weekend and finish on a high.”
Speaking about the milestones Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones will achieve this weekend, Pivac added: “Dan and Al are huge players for Wales and have been for many years now.
“We’ve said with other players reaching 100 appearances what an achievement that is and for Dan I know he’s been looking forward to this moment for a long time. For him to achieve it with Al, who is also getting the milestone of 150 caps – which no other player has ever done – I think it’s fitting for those two to share the day. They’ve played a lot of rugby together and have a healthy respect for each other. They’ve given so much for the game in Wales.”
Wales senior men’s team to face Italy (Saturday 19 March, KO 2.15pm. Live on BBC and S4C)
15. Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets – 9 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 15 caps)
13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 30 caps)
12. Uilisi Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 99 caps), captain
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 66 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 9 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 4 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 37 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 33 caps), vice-captain
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 149 caps)
6. Seb Davies (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
7. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 29 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby – 88 caps)
Replacements
16. Bradley Roberts (Ulster Rugby – 1 cap)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 42 caps)
18. Leon Brown (Dragons – 21 caps)
19. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 17 caps)
20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons – 53 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 10 caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears – 15 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 19 caps)
