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Davies to captain Wales for first time against Italy

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Jonathan Davies will captain Wales for the first time in his career after Warren Gatland named his team to take on Italy in their Round Two Guinness Six Nations clash.

Jonathan Davies will captain Wales for the first time in his career after Warren Gatland named his team to take on Italy in their Round Two Guinness Six Nations clash.

Davies is one of just five Welshmen to keep his starting place from Round One’s comeback win over France as Gatland has rung the changes.

The four others retained are Liam Williams at full-back, Josh Adams on the wing, Adam Beard in the second row and Josh Navidi in the back row, although the Cardiff Blues man switches to No.8.

Elsewhere in the pack Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Samson Lee form a new look front row with Jake Ball coming into the second row alongside Beard.

In the back row Aaron Wainwright starts at blindside flanker and Thomas Young makes his first Guinness Six Nations appearance on the openside.

Davies will win his 70th cap at Stadio Olimpico and becomes Wales’ 137th captain, lining up in midfield alongside Owen Watkin with Dan Biggar and Aled Davies named at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.

Jonah Holmes is on the right wing in the back three and Gatland is excited to see his new-look team gel in Rome on Saturday.

“We have made a number of changes this weekend but have picked what we think is a very exciting team that still has huge experience throughout it,” said the Wales head coach.

“We have made a similar number of changes to what we did last year, but it is all about opportunity for these players.

“We have had a squad of 31 training together, replicating the Rugby World Cup and it is important they get game-time.

“Italy will be hurting after last weekend but they are a different proposition in Rome. They are an experienced team themselves and they will be looking to put things right on the pitch after their opening defeat.”

Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis are the front-row replacements on the bench with Alun Wyn Jones and Ross Moriarty completing the forward contingent. Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe and Hallam Amos provide Wales’ backline cover.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY ITALY:

15. Liam Williams (Saracens) 14. Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (Capt) 12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) 11. Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) 9. Aled Davies (Ospreys)

1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) 2. Elliot Dee (Dragons) 3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) 4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) 5. Adam Beard (Ospreys) 6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) 7. Thomas Young (Wasps) 8. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) 17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) 18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) 19 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) 20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) 21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) 22. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) 23. Hallam Amos (Dragons)