Wales v Italy: Teams

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has challenged his players to finish an otherwise disappointing RBS Six Nations campaign on a high when they host Italy in Cardiff.

Heading into the Championship, even the most pessimistic Wales supporter would not have envisaged the situation facing their side heading into the final round of fixtures.

Defeat to the Azzurri at the Millennium Stadium could see the 2008 winners pick up the wooden spoon for the first time since 1995.

In a bid to breathe fresh life into the side, coach Gatland has handed a Test debut to Ospreys wing Tom Prydie in a move which will see the 18-year-old become the youngest player to represent Wales.

Hiding

Prydie, who replaces Leigh Halfpenny on the wing, is one of five changes made by the New Zealander, who had promised to shake things up after losing 27-12 to Ireland last time out.

Fit-again British and Irish Lions trio Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones also return, while Cardiff flanker Sam Warburton replaces veteran Martyn Williams, who is not even included amongst the replacements.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's showdown, Gatland said: "People need to know we are not hiding away from anything.

"We are hurting from last week, and it means a hell of a lot for coaches and players to represent Wales.

"We need to take that responsibility and go out there and give a performance that shows people what it means. To me, that's really important.

"It's important we are honest about where we are at the moment. We are in a results-orientated business and people are under pressure for their jobs and their futures.

"We have to be aware of that and make people understand that, and that is why we will be going out against Italy and showing people what it means to put that jersey on, play at home and deliver a performance.

"Personally, I don't know any other way to respond to a challenge.

Injury blow

"I can't stand losing, and I want to show them what it means - not just the players - but the other staff involved and the whole set-up."

The injury-ravaged Italians have suffered another setback ahead of their trip to Cardiff with the news that centre Andrea Masi has been ruled out with soreness in his lower back.

Masi has been replaced in midfield by Clermont Auvergne's Gonzalo Canale with Matteo Pratichetti now joining the substitutes.

Masi's withdrawal follows a double injury blow on Thursday night when Azzurri coach Nick Mallett lost both lock Carlo Del Fava and flanker Paul Derbyshire.

Gloucester forward Marco Bortolami will start instead of Del Fava, with Josh Sole packing down in the back-row after Derbyshire was sidelined.

Italy will finish with the wooden spoon if they lose to Wales and Scotland avoid defeat against Triple Crown-chasing Ireland in Dublin.

Wales: 15 L Byrne, 14 T Prydie, 13 J Hook, 12 J Roberts, 11 S Williams, 10 S Jones, 9 M Phillips; 1 G Jenkins, 2 M Rees, 3 A Jones, 4 B Davies, 5 L Charteris, 6 J Thomas, 7 S Warburton, 8 R Jones (capt).
Replacements: 16 H Bennett, 17 P James, 18 I Gough, 19 G Delve, 20 D Peel, 21 A Bishop, 22 T Shanklin.

Italy: 15 L McLean, 14 K Robertson, 13 G Canale, 12 G Garcia, 11 M Bergamasco, 10 C Gower, 9 P Canavosio; 1 S Perugini, 2 L Ghiraldini, 3 M Castrogiovanni, 4 M Bortolami, 5 Q Geldenhuys, 6 J Sole, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 8 A Zanni.
Replacements: 16 F Ongaro, 17 M Aguero, 18 V Bernabo, 19 M Vosawai, 20 T Tebaldi, 21 R Bocchino, 22 M Pratichetti.