By Gareth James
Rhys Webb is set to make his first Test start for three years as part of another big shake-up by Wales coach Warren Gatland.
The Ospreys scrum-half – who has not been selected to begin a Test since 2020 – is poised to come in to face Italy in the Six Nations at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Gatland is expected to make changes to the starting lineup, with as many as seven potential alterations from the team that faced England.
Time has come for Warren Gatland to change and pick Wales team of the futurehttps://t.co/mybyEF4Nwz
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) March 6, 2023
Louis Rees-Zammit may be dropped to the bench, while Alun Wyn Jones and Christ Tshiunza could also be left out.
However, Webb is likely to be included, replacing Tomos Williams at scrum-half.
Webb had been sidelined for much of the Wayne Pivac era but now has a chance to impress ahead of the World Cup in France later this year. He will be partnered by his former Ospreys teammate Dan Biggar at half-back.
Liam Williams is expected to return at full-back, with Rio Dyer taking over from Rees-Zammit on the wing. Dyer impressed in previous matches and is set for another opportunity.
Up front, there may be changes with Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jenkins, and Jac Morgan coming in, while Gareth Thomas, Alun Wyn Jones, and Christ Tshiunza could be left out.
Warren Gatland told to pick Rees-Zammit at 15 and leave out Dan Biggar again as he picks Wales team https://t.co/f8UOHSihRK
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) March 8, 2023
Neil Jenkins Urges Wales to Seize Opportunities to Avoid Rome Repeat Defeats
Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins says it is time for Wales to take their opportunities if they are to avoid a repeat of the defeats they last suffered in Rome in 2003 and again in 2007.
“It takes an awful lot to win at this level, and we have given ourselves chances and opportunities in these games,” Jenkins said.
“You could argue we could have scored 20-plus points in maybe two of the games. There were clear-cut chances (against Ireland and Scotland) that we didn’t take, and we need to get better at that.”
“I played against some Italian sides in the early 2000s with some fantastic players like Diego (Dominguez) and (Sergio) Parisse, but at this moment in time they have got an awful lot of talent in that team and they are not afraid to play from anywhere.
“I think they tend to make good decisions as well – it is not just based on throwing the ball about willy-nilly.
“The reality is we will have to be at our best on Saturday to win. There is no doubting that. We know how good Italy have been.”
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