SM
Villa vs. Man City: 9 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 9, 2019 at 4.45pm UK
 
Italy
15-26
Wales
Steyn (34'), Padovani (75')
FT
Adams (54'), Watkin (70')

Thomas Young and Jonah Holmes to make Six Nations debuts in Italy

:Headline: Thomas Young and Jonah Holmes to make Six Nations debuts in Italy: ID:349575: from db_amp
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made a number of changes for Saturday's clash in Rome.

Wasps flanker Thomas Young and Leicester wing Jonah Holmes will make their Six Nations debuts for Wales in Saturday's clash with Italy.

Young, who won two caps on Wales' 2017 summer tour against Tonga and Samoa, lines up in Rome alongside back-row colleagues Aaron Wainwright and Josh Navidi.

Centre Jonathan Davies captains his country for a first time – regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones is on the replacements' bench – as Wales head coach Warren Gatland makes 10 changes and one positional switch from the side that beat France last week.

There is also a Six Nations bow for Holmes, who made his Test debut during this season's autumn series, with scrum-half Aled Davies and flanker Wainwright handed first starts in the tournament.

Centre Owen Watkin, fly-half Dan Biggar, who replaces Gareth Anscombe, hooker Elliot Dee and lock Jake Ball also feature, with Navidi moving from blindside flanker to number eight.

Players that started the 24-19 victory over France who are not involved in Wales' match-day 23 this weekend include wing George North, centre Hadleigh Parkes and hooker Ken Owens as Gatland maximises a 31-man squad who have trained in Nice this week.

Young is the son of Wasps rugby director and former Wales prop Dai Young, and he has been among the Gallagher Premiership's most consistent performers this season.

Thomas Young has impressed for Wasps (David Davies/PA)

He now has a glorious chance to show his Test credentials at the start of a World Cup year.

Victory for Wales at the Stadio Olimpico would make it 11 successive wins and equal their all-time unbeaten record set between 1907 and 1910.

They have also not lost to Italy for 12 years, while the Azzurri are without a win against any Six Nations team since 2015.

Gatland said: "We have made a number of changes this weekend, but have picked what we think is a very exciting team that still has huge experience throughout it.

"We have made a similar number of changes to what we did last year, but it is all about opportunity for these players. We have had a squad of 31 training together, replicating the Rugby World Cup, and it is important they get game time.

"It is a great opportunity for Jon (Davies) as captain. He has a huge amount of experience, is a great leader and it is a great honour for him to lead his country.

"Italy will be hurting after last weekend (they lost to Scotland), but they are a different proposition in Rome.

"They are an experienced team themselves and they will be looking to put things right on the pitch after their opening defeat."

amp_article__349575 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-07 13:39:34:
html db last update - 2019-02-07 13:39:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Thomas Young

Click here for more stories about Italy

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .