Lock Cory Hill and scrum-half Gareth Davies have been included for unbeaten Wales as they face struggling Italy in a Six Nations clash in Rome on Saturday — the only changes to the team that defeated England last month.
Davies will replace the injured Kieran Hardy, while Hill comes in for Adam Beard alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.
Coach Wayne Pivac has kept faith with the remainder of the side that defeated England 40-24 last time out to make it three wins from three in this year’s championship.
“We are really looking forward to this weekend and are ready to get out there on Saturday,” Pivac said in a statement.
“Three from three is a great start but there has been plenty to do and plenty of work-ons. We’ve had a two week build up to this game, trained really well in the fallow week and are looking forward to round four.”
Davies will partner fly-half Dan Biggar, with Jonathan Davies and George North at centre, and Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams making up the back-three.
The front row of the pack comprises props Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis, with Ken Owens at hooker. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau will continue their work at the back of the scrum.
Wales have won each of their last 15 tests against Italy, and have lost two of the previous 29 meetings in all.
Italy have conceded 139 points in their three Six Nations games so far this season and sit bottom of the table without a victory in the competition since 2015, a run of 30 defeats in a row.
Wales team:
Starting XV:
Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (C), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Josh Adams, Jonathan Davies, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams.
Replacements:
Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Lloyd Williams, Callum Sheedy, Uilisi Halaholo.