Wales are set to bench Alun Wyn Jones this weekend during their encounter against Italy. Jonathan Davies is expected to rise as captain.
Scarlets centre Davies is set to lead his nation for the first time. Wales are set to make big changes to their starting lineup as they look to experiment ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Coach Warren Gatland is set to name his line-up on Thursday with Wasps flanker Thomas Young set to make his Six Nations debut. Another player who might play in Rome for Wales is back Jonah Holmes who made his test debut earlier on during this season. Young who has been impressive in the Gallagher Premiership this season will need to play well against the Italians in order to try and work his way into the Welsh World Cup plans.
Discussing Young, Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said:
“He has been a consistent player,”
“He is a consistent performer for Wasps every week. He’s playing in a league where there are big men week-in, week-out, and the intensity is there.
“He’s had several man-of-the-match awards. In defence he makes intelligent decisions of when to compete for the ball, and in attack he links up with the backs. He is doing that here as well.
“Our training is a bit different to club level – the intensity and metres covered is up – but he has dealt with it.
“It is an opportunity for anyone down here to stake a claim and make a name for themselves. If anyone gets the opportunity, they have to take it and make the most.”
Wales are currently in a good run of form and their victory over France last Friday was their 10th successive win. Should they defeat Italy as expected this weekend, they will equal their all-time unbeaten record of 11 Tests which took place between 1907-1910.
