Davies to captain much-changed Wales in Rome

Jonathan Davies will captain a much-changed Wales side for the first time in the Six Nations encounter with Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Alun Wyn Jones drops to the bench at Stadio Olimpico, so centre Davies steps up to lead his country when he earns a 70th cap.

Wing Jonah Holmes and back-row Thomas Young make their Six Nations debuts as Warren Gatland makes 10 changes to his starting line-up following the 24-19 victory over France in Paris.

Liam Williams, Davies, Josh Adams, Josh Navidi and Adam Beard are the only players to retain their places in the side.

Owen Watkin will play alongside Davies, while fly-half Dan Biggar and scrum-half Aled Davies start.

Navidi moves to number eight, with Aaron Wainwright coming in at openside flanker and Jake Ball joining Beard in the second row.

Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Samson Lee form a new-look front row against an Azzurri side that was beaten 33-20 by Scotland in their opening match of the tournament.

TEAM NEWS @JonFoxDavies will lead Wales for the first time against @Federugby this Saturday. #ITAvWAL

Capteiniaeth am y tro gyntaf i’r gŵr o’r gorllewin ar gap rhif 70​ am y gêm @SixNationsRugby.#HWFN #ForTheJersey pic.twitter.com/h3aa0Qyb2A

— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 7, 2019

Wales: Liam Williams, Jonah Holmes, Jonathan Davies (captain), Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Thomas Young, Josh Navidi. 

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Alun Wyn Jones, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Hallam Amos.

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