Saturday 21 March 2015 16:21, UK
Wales have made two changes to the team that ended Ireland's Grand Slam hopes as they head to Rome seeking a third Six Nations title in four years.
Both changes come in the front row as Rob Evans and Aaron Jarvis pack down on either side of Scott Baldwin.
Evans starts for the first time for Warren Gatland's side after Gethin Jenkins injured his hamstring, while Jarvis is in the team following a long-term injury suffered by Samson Lee during the early stages against Ireland.
Lee's injury was a negative aspect of a very positive day for Welsh rugby as the Cardiff faithful were treated to a superb victory over an Irish side seeking an 11th straight win.
The victory means that Wales are still in with a chance to win the title this weekend. If they win handsomely against the Italians, it will mean that England and Ireland both need to chase the Welsh points margin in order to lift the trophy.
Head coach Gatland said: "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.
"Obviously it's disappointing for Gethin and Samson, but Rob and Aaron stepped up well last weekend and we expect the same on Saturday.
"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."
Meanwhile, Italy have made a number of changes to the team that was beaten 29-0 by France in Rome last weekend.
Talismanic captain Sergio Parisse will miss the encounter due to injury which makes Italy's task of a shock win over the Wlesh that much more difficult. However, veterean prop Martin Castrogiovanni has made a return to the starting line-up after missing out previously due to an incident where he was bitten by a dog.
Samuela Vunisa has moved from flank into the No 8 position to make up for the absence of Parisse and that has accommodated a return to the team for Mauro Bergamasco, who will win his 102nd cap for the Azzurri.
Kelly Haimona, who withdew from the France match due to injury, returns at fly-half in place of Tommaso Allan, after the latter suffered a hamstring injury last weekend.
Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini captains the side as they attempt to end a seven-game losing streak against the Welsh.
Italy: 15 Luke McLean; 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti; 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Michele Rizzo, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 3 Martin Castrogiovanni; 4 George Biagi, 5 Joshua Furno; 6 Francesco Minto, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 8 Samuela Vunisa.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Roberto Barbieri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Enrico Bacchin.
Wales: 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 (c), 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.
