Wales team to face Italy announced

Warburton & Jones Return from Injury

Wales have announced their full 23-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations fixture against Italy on Saturday. Interim head coach Rob Howley confirmed last week that an unchanged line-up will take to the field at the Stadio Olimpico as reward for their 16-6 victory over France.

Howley has today named his full squad for the trip to Rome which features just two changes, both of which occur on the bench with the return from injury of Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones. The experienced duo replace Aaron Shingler and Lou Reed respectively, with the make-up of the rest of the replacements unchanged from the victory in Paris.

“We announced last week that we would reward the starting XV that beat France by keeping faith with the same line-up for this weekend’s game,” said Howley.“The side is fit and raring to go and on the bench we have brought in Sam and Alun Wyn, who have both returned from injury which is a boost to the squad.

“In France the players showed real determination and resilience and we will need that again in Rome. Italy have already showed so far in this campaign what they are capable of, so we know the challenge we will be facing on Saturday.”

WALES SQUAD

Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Andrew Coombs, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (C), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS:

Ken Owens, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.