The selection also appears to be a big show of belief in Cardiff Blues scrum-half Williams amid a close battle with Gareth Davies and Rhys Webb, who is back in the Wales squad following his 60-cap rule exile. We have been involved in matches in Rome which were close and tight and Australia found that last November. A common theme in Paris - and in the best Wales performances under Gatland - has been the wingers working hard off their wing and getting involved. Here we go... 15 minutes until Wales hold a press conference. “Things can happen in a World Cup and with players like George North, Justin Tipuric and Cory Hill picking up knocks last week, it is a case of managing them and we always intended to include the eight players who were not involved last Friday,” said Gatland. Here’s his view ahead of the team announcement. While the players have been enjoying the surroundings, serious preparation has been undertaken ahead of the second round of Six Nations fixtures. The Wales team to play Italy as James Davies starts and Faletau handed captaincy amid 10 changes. Some really interesting quotes on Jonathan Davies. The Earth’s biosphere contains all the known ingredients necessary for life as we know it. He’s obviously very honoured to accept the captaincy. Gatland, like other coaches, has in the past used the match against Italy to rest some of his leading players, a policy that has yet to backfire although some finishes in the first half of his stint as head coach were closer than he had envisaged. They too are benefitting from the momentum of an autumn series and showed how much they’ve progressed in their impressive win over Scotland last weekend (28-7). But it's also been filled with bravery, inspiration and the life-affirming actions of our friends and neighbours, Four best worlds to find alien life in our solar system. Here’s the full Warren Gatland transcript from earlier. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Here’s what Warren Gatland has to say about the team he’s named to face the Italians in Rome this weekend. Owen Watkin and Aled Davies during training in Nice this week. “Having coached in Italy, I know that once an Italian side feels they can win a match, it’s difficult to stop them so it’s vital to bring the same commitment that we showed against France but with more accuracy of execution It’s important we keep our energy levels high to meet the challenge of two consecutive away games in a week.”. “Everyone knows they are continually playing for World Cup places and having the first two games away from home, we were able to have a mini camp and replicate some of the issues we will face in Japan.”. The two survivors at forward are the second-row Adam Beard and Josh Navidi, who moves from wing forward to No 8. As well as Thomas Young, Leicester Tigers’ Jonah Holmes makes his first Six Nations appearances this weekend - winning his second cap for Wales on the wing. Wales have announced their team to play Italy, with Warren Gatland making 10 changes. Thu 7 Feb 2019 05.43 EST Ireland are also set to make changes for the weekend - with Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney set to return to the starting XV for their trip to face Scotland. Wales officially name the team for the Six Nations opener on Thursday, with Wayne Pivac making a number of big calls, Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox. The players are always playing for World Cup places. Last modified on Thu 7 Feb 2019 19.20 EST. All rights reserved. Warren Gatland has said he is thinking about the World Cup rather than the match against England in Cardiff this month after making 10 changes from … They are an experienced team themselves and they will be looking to put things right on the pitch after their opening defeat.”. A few injury-enforced changes for Ireland, with Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Devin Toner and CJ Stander all ruled out. 13:44. And they have both been centre partners of Davies - Scott Williams against Ireland in 2015 and Jamie Roberts against Tonga and Samoa in 2017. France team to play Italy. Yet to feature: Hallam Amos, Jonah Holmes, Aled Davies, Nicky Smith, Ryan Elias, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Thomas Young. “It is a great opportunity for Jon (Davies) as captain. Or how, in the graphic below, he tracks the ball across field from the blindside wing and reacts the fastest when the ball-carrier is tackled to take the offload and score... After a solid first outing against Tonga in the autumn, this is another chance to show he belongs at Test level.