WARREN GATLAND HAS made two enforced changes to the Wales side for their crunch Six Nations encounter with Italy on Saturday.
Props Rob Evans and Aaron Jarvis both come into the side, replacing the injured Gethin Jenkins (hamstring) and Samson Lee (Achilles).
Ospreys man Evans will be making his first start for Wales in what will serve as only his second cap.
Rhys Gill, Ken Owens and Scott Andrews all come into the squad as substitutes as part of four changes on the bench, with hooker Richard Hibbard ruled out.
Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies takes the place of Mike Phillips among the interchanges.
“Obviously it’s disappointing for Gethin and Samson, but Rob and Aaron stepped up well last weekend [against Ireland] and we expect the same on Saturday,” Gatland said.
Wales visit the Stadio Olimpico for their final game of the competition level on points with England and Ireland, who they overcame 23-16 last Saturday.
However, Wales’ points difference of +12 is inferior to that of leaders England (+37) and Ireland (+33), leaving them need a sizeable victory and favours from France and Scotland to seal the title.
“It was great to get the result we wanted in front of our home supporters last weekend and to give us a chance going into the last round of action,” Gatland added.
“The challenge to us is to go to Italy and win, and try and win by a significant margin, but we know that’s an extremely tough ask and the first job will be to simply get the result.
“Italy build their confidence around the scrum and line-out drive and that’s an area we are going to have to compete strongly in at the start of the match.”
Team in full: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, Jake Ball, Justin Tipuric, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams.
Hopefully United slip up again. Even a draw. Looking forward to the next few weeks. Come on City.
:D
Bad results tonight for Villa – 5 teams now in the battle to avoid final 2 relegation places as Wolves are gone. Has any manager ever been relegated from PL in consecutive seasons with different clubs…. McLeish may b the first.
Another twist in the race for the title, its not over at all yet. The manchester derby will be huge.
United played s***e tonight. Two tough games coming up Against Aston Villa and Everton
C’mon the R’s
Yup Utd looked so poor tonite. No ideas. Against Wigan???