Italy head to Cardiff this weekend searching for that elusive first NatWest 6 Nations point against a Wales who have suffered back-to-back defeats.
Wales have made seven changes in the pack and three changes in their back division as Warren Gatland gives some fresh faces a chance to impress.
Click here for the complete 2018 NatWest 6 Nations fixture list
Taulupe Faletau will go head-to-head with Italian captain Sergio Parisse after being named skipper at No.8 with Cory Hill the only unchanged player in Wales’ pack.
George North is recalled with Liam Williams shifting to full-back while Owen Watkin is brought into midfield alongside Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Anscombe starts at ten.
Conor O’Shea will name his 23 tomorrow and here are some of the key selection decisions facing the Irishman prior to that announcement.
No Tommaso Boni
Tommaso Boni has started in the midfield for each of Italy’s three games so far this season but an injury means he has already returned to club side Zebre.
Jayden Hayward was on the bench against Wales and could make the step up to start or Giulio Bisegni, who was introduced into the 27-man squad, may be brought straight in.
Biagi injured
George Biagi will also be absent from the Italian squad come Saturday, having been on the bench against France two weeks ago, due to an injury.
O’Shea has just three second rows in Dean Budd, Federico Ruzza and Alessandro Zanni in his training squad with five back rows available to offer cover.
Polledri debut?
One such back row is uncapped Gloucester Rugby forward Jake Polledri who has been impressing in the Aviva Premiership all year with his physicality and power.
He’s been in and around the Italian squad throughout the Championship but has yet to make a matchday squad but may have caught O’Shea’s eye.
Read Italy’s Championship Story So Far
Front row options
The hugely experienced Leonardo Ghiraldini started against France with Luca Bigi making an impact off the bench in the second half.
Oliviero Fabiani is in the training squad and could be pushing for a spot on the bench to earn a fifth international cap against Wales in Cardiff.
