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Halaholo and Lewis start as Wales host Italy in Six Nations finale.

International | 15th March 2022


Dillon Lewis and Willis Halaholo are amongst the seven changes made by Wayne Pivac for Wales' final clash of the Guinness Six Nations Championship against Italy on Sunday (KO 2.15pm).

The Cardiff duo will make their first starts of the campaign against Azzurri, joining three of their club team-mates in the starting XV.

Tighthead prop Lewis, who will win his 38th Test cap on Saturday, replaces Tomas Francis in the number three jersey. He is joined in the front row by Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, who makes his first start on the international stage, while Gareth Thomas retains his spot at loosehead.

Centre Halaholo is brought in for his first involvement of the campaign, partnering Owen Watkin in the centre. 

Josh Adams keeps his spot on the wing but Louis Rees-Zammit and Johnny McNicholl both return to the back three for the finale. 

An unchanged back row sees Cardiff duo Seb Davies and Josh Navidi continuing their combination with future Blue and Black, Taulupe Faletau, who enjoyed a stand-out performance against France last time out.

Skipper Dan Biggar wins his 100th cap for Wales while Alun Wyn Jones returns, reaching 150 appearance in the red jersey.

Pivac said: “We’ve made a few changes this week. With one game to go there are some players we need to see out there and put them in the match day 23.

“We’ve certainly selected a side which we think can get the job done. Clearly that’s what we’re here for. There’s an opportunity to move up that table, so we think this is an exciting team and one we’re looking forward to seeing out there.

“Italy are a side that’s improving, they’ve had some bad luck here and there and with a new coach transitioning we know it takes a bit of time.

“But we know they’ve got some very good rugby players and as you saw against Scotland they troubled them in that second half and for long periods of the first. So we’re going to have to be on our game and we’re very much looking forward to playing at home again this weekend.

“We had a good result against Scotland, gave the fans something to cheer about and came very close against an in form France. Obviously disappointed we couldn’t get across the line for our fans there and we hope we can do that this weekend and finish on a high.”

Wales team to face Italy (Saturday 19 March, KO 2.15pm. Live on BBC and S4C)
15. Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets – 9 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 15 caps)
13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 30 caps)
12. Uilisi Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 99 caps), captain
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 66 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 9 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 4 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 37 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 33 caps), vice-captain
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 149 caps)
6. Seb Davies (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
7. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 29 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby – 88 caps)

Replacements
16. Bradley Roberts (Ulster Rugby – 1 cap)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 42 caps)
18. Leon Brown (Dragons – 21 caps)
19. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 17 caps)
20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons – 53 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 10 caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears – 15 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 19 caps)