Taulupe Faletau will play his first game for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being named on Thursday in the starting line up for their vital Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday. In a boost for beleaguered Wales coach Warren Gatland, Faletau’s selection is one of two changes to the side that was heavily beaten in Paris last Friday in the opening game of this year’s tournament. Wales are on a run of 13 defeats and were they to extend that beyond this weekend, it would make Gatland’s position begin to look untenable as well as see the side slip below Georgia to 12th in the world rankings.