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Gatland makes six changes for Wales after England loss

Welsh coach Warren Gatland has made big changes to the Wales line-up for the Six Nations clash against Italy.

SUPER RUGBY CHIEFS BRUMBIES Warren Gatland has made six changes for Wales' Six Nations match against Italy in Rome.
March 10, 2023
By AAP
10 March 2023

Warren Gatland has made six changes to the Wales starting line-up for the Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

Wing Louis Rees-Zammit, full-back Leigh Halfpenny, lock Alun Wyn Jones and flanker Christ Tshiunza are among those omitted for Saturday’s match following the 20-10 loss to England last time out.

Ospreys halfback Rhys Webb will make a first Test start since October 2020, replacing Tomos Williams, while Rio Dyer is preferred to Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams returns in the number 15 shirt.

Elsewhere, prop Wyn Jones, lock Dafydd Jenkins and flanker Jac Morgan also feature but there is no place in the matchday 23 for fly-half Dan Biggar.

Rees-Zammit, who scored an interception try against England, has to be content with a place on the bench, where he will be joined by George North, Rhys Davies and Tommy Reffell.

Alun Wyn Jones, Halfpenny and Tshiunza join Biggar in having no involvement. 

Owen Williams keeps the No.10 role as Wales strive to avoid a fourth successive defeat in this season’s tournament, with centre Joe Hawkins seemingly set to provide fly-half cover.

If Wales are beaten at Stadio Olimpico, it would effectively consign them to a Six Nations wooden spoon, with their final fixture against France in Paris on Saturday week.

Wales have not finished bottom of the Six Nations for 20 years, while their last away defeat at Italy’s hands came in 2007.

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