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Wales Online
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Ben James

Warren Gatland rips up Wales team again with six changes and big names left out completely

Warren Gatland has once again ripped up his Wales team ahead of Saturday's Wooden Spoon decider with Italy in Rome.

Having had defeats to Ireland, Scotland and England so far - all with vastly different starting XVs - the trip to Italy not only represents the best chance of avoiding a first whitewash and Wooden Spoon since 2003, but also an opportunity for Gatland to finally get a win following his return to the job he left in 2019.

The Wales coach makes six changes to the side that lost to England in Cardiff, with Rhys Webb making his first start in the Six Nations since the end of the 2017 tournament. Follow live updates from Gatland's press conference.

He partners Ospreys team-mate Owen Williams, who keeps hold of the fly-half jersey ahead of Dan Biggar, with the veteran Wales No. 10 also missing out on a place on the bench.

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Louis Rees-Zammit drops out of the starting XV, with Dragons star Rio Dyer starting on the wing. The other change in the back-three sees Liam Williams return at full-back instead of Leigh Halfpenny.

The fledgling centre partnership of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady is retained. They are the only players alongside Josh Adams to keep their places in the backline from the England defeat.

In the pack, Wyn Jones returns to the front-row, while there are also starts for Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan as Christ Tshiunza and Alun Wyn Jones are left out of the matchday 23.

On the bench, Ospreys lock Rhys Davies is in line for a second cap after making his debut against Scotland, with Gareth Thomas moving to the bench after starting against England and Scott Baldwin also back on the bench. Dillon Lewis and Tommy Reffell retain their place on the replacements' pine from last time out.

Tomos Williams, George North and the benched Rees-Zammit provide the backline cover.

Italy make just one change to the side that lost in Dublin as they go in search for their first Six Nations win in Rome since 2013, with Tommaso Allan replacing the injured Ange Capuozzo.

Wales: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Owen Williams, Rhys Webb; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Rhys Davies, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit.

Italy: Tommaso Allan; Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Pierre Bruno; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone.

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Marco Riccioni, Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Luca Morisi.

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