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Wales make 10 changes for Italy as Taulupe Faletau is named captain on injury return

James Davies, younger brother of Lions centre Jonathan, will make his debut

Wednesday 07 March 2018 12:16 GMT

Faletau has not played for Wales since November (Getty)

Warren Gatland has given his Wales side a complete makeover with 10 changes to the side who lost to Ireland last time out as he looks to rescue his side’s Six Nations campaign against Italy.

There is no place for captain Alun Wyn Jones in the entire squad as Bradley Davies partners Cory Hill in the second row, while returning Taulupe Faletau is named skipper.

Scarlets’ flanker James Davies, who is the younger brother of injured centre Jonathan Davies, will make his debut in place of the impressive Josh Navidi, with Justin Tipuric completing a new-look back row for the Welsh.

Six Nations team of the week

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1/15Six Nations team of the week

Six Nations team of the week

1. Cian Healy (Ireland)

The powerhouse loosehead has regained his place in the Irish front-row and went about doing as much damage on the Welsh defence as possible. His scrummaging stood up well against the equally-strong Samson Lee, but it was his work with the ball – including his try – that really stood out.

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Six Nations team of the week

2. Stuart McInally (Scotland)

Made an incisive run through the English defence that helped set up Sean Maitland’s try, and reliable at the lineout in all bar one of his throws. A good performance that helped give Scotland the base for their famous victory.

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Six Nations team of the week

3. Simon Berghan (Scotland)

Another brilliant display from the tighthead who is really coming on as an international Test player. His scrum battle with Mako Vunipola was an intriguing one to watch with neither giving away an inch, and he secured one important turnover in the second half to stem an English attack.

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Six Nations team of the week

4. James Ryan (Ireland)

The Leinster lock returns to The Independent’s team of the weekend after missing the second round with injury, and he really is proving himself to be quite the young player at this level. A great showing across the park, particularly with his ball carrying, and he is also a very handy option in the lineout.

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Six Nations team of the week

5. Jonny Gray (Scotland)

Bounced back well from an early missed tackle on Nathan Hughes, and led the Scottish defensive effort as he got through a ridiculous amount of work, particularly in the second half.

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Six Nations team of the week

6. Sebastian Negri (Italy)

A standout performance in defeat should be heralded as the Treviso back-row caught the eye with three defence-splitting runs against France. Italy may fear the end of Sergio Parisse’s international career, but in Negri they have a similar figure that can lift his teammates by his own performance. Extremely harsh on Scotland captain John Barclay for his defensive work rate and breakdown prowess, but Negri just couldn’t be left out.

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Six Nations team of the week

7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Rampant at the breakdown as he led the Scottish turnovers, securing two penalties from English ball and proving a thorn in the side of Eddie Jones throughout Saturday afternoon. Quickly emerging as one of the breakdown masters in European rugby.

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Six Nations team of the week

8. Ryan Wilson (Scotland)

Not as prominent as his back-row colleagues but he contributed enormously by often being the main support runner that helped Scotland maintain possession. Just shaded the battle with Nathan Hughes as the England No 8 was at fault for Huw Jones’ second try, and holds off a good showing from Ireland’s CJ Stander.

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Six Nations team of the week

9. Gareth Davies (Wales)

Another player who starred in defeat. The Scarlets scrum-half showed there is life after Rhys Webb as he smartly collected a loose pass, drifted laterally before cutting a smart line to run straight through the Irish defence and score his side’s first try. A real attacking livewire that can’t be left alone for a minute.

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Six Nations team of the week

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

Wrote a remarkable story of redemption at Murrayfield as he silenced his critics to mastermind Scotland’s historic victory over England. Put the chip through for Jones’ first try, played an inch-perfect pass to Jones that triggered the whole move for Sean Maitland’s score – as well as throwing the flat ball to the Saracens wing – and jinked past the would-be tacklers before unleashing Jones for the third try. A brilliant showing.

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Six Nations team of the week

11. Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Seven tries in seven Tests is not a bad start to any international career, and the Ulster wing is showing no signs of letting up his wonderful rate of scoring after bagging two more tries against Wales.

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Six Nations team of the week

12. Peter Horne (Scotland)

A commanding display in giving Russell and outlet if the pressure came on, and he also showed off his ability to kick when pinning England back with delicate chips in behind. His passing was reliable throughout the Calcutta Cup clash, and despite Owen Farrell scoring all of England’s 13 points, it was Horne who won the battle of the 12s.

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Six Nations team of the week

13. Huw Jones ( Scotland)

Russell may have got the man of the match award but it was Jones who not so much as floored England as knocked them out cold. His early try stunned the reigning champions and brought Murrayfield to life, and his second was a brilliant finish that showed off his power and pace that also had an echo of Brian O’Driscoll’s 2001 Lions score about it. Simply an outstanding player and a delight to watch.

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Six Nations team of the week

14. Keith Earls (Ireland)

Mr Reliable for Ireland is quickly becoming Mr Highlight Ree. Earls has always been known as a workhorse player but he has added something new to his game this Six Nations that has enabled him to have a devastating impact on games. Two defence-busting runs down the right flank both led to points for the Irish.

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Six Nations team of the week

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Always a threat when he gets the ball in hand and England allowed him the space that he needed to pin his ears. Combined well with Maitland and Tommy Seymour, and Scotland seemed to learn from not overusing him at first receiver and leave him out in space where he can have a much bigger impact. Also took on a responsibility with kicking, even if he did miss a long penalty effort from halfway.

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In the backs, George North returns to the starting XV, with Leigh Halfpenny dropping to the bench and Liam Williams moving to full back, but there is no place for first-choice fly-half Dan Biggar.

Biggar returned from injury against Ireland but was replaced before the end by Gareth Anscombe, who starts in his stead on Sunday. Rhys Patchell, who started the first two games, is on the bench.

“It is a great opportunity for Taulupe, he is a world class player, hugely experienced and this will be great for his development and we are looking forward to seeing those leadership qualities come through,” said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.

“We have made some changes, but we are bringing in a lot of quality and a lot of experience with the likes of Bradley Davies, Justin Tipuric, George North and Taulupe.

“Add into that James Davies who gets his first cap, Elliot Dee who gets his first start - this is a great opportunity for them to play tournament rugby.

“It is challenging making changes, but we have picked a really exciting team and Sunday is their chance.”

Wales team to face Italy: L Williams, North, Watkin, Parkes, S Evans; Anscombe, G Davies; Smith, Dee, Francis, Hill, B Davies, Tipuric, J Davies, Faletau (capt).

Replacements: Owens, R Evans, Lee, S Davies, Jenkins, A Davies, Patchell, Halfpenny.

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