Jenkins starts for Wales against Italy

By Mark Stevens
9/3/23

Exeter Chiefs forward Dafydd Jenkins has been named in the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's fourth round Guinness Six Nations match against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (2.15pm).

The towering second-row is recalled to the starting line-up having been named on the bench for the clash with England a fortnight ago in Cardiff.

There is, however, no place for Chiefs club-mate Christ Tshiunza as Warren Gatland opts a back row of Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau with Leicester's Tommy Reffell named as a replacement.

Elsewhere, Rhys Webb, named at scrum half, will make his first start for Wales in this year’s Championship with Owen Williams at fly-half.

Rio Dyer and Josh Adams are selected on the wings with Liam Williams returning at full-back, while Mason Grady, who won his first senior international cap against England, and Joe Hawkins continue in the Wales midfield.

Wyn Jones returns at loose-head prop to join captain Ken Owens (hooker) and former Chief Tomas Francisin the front row. Jenkins makes his second start for Wales partnering Adam Beard in the second row.

Head Coach Gatland said: “We feel that having watched Italy and how they’ll tend to play from everywhere, including their own 22, getting guys on the ball is going to be pretty important.

“Rhys Webb gets an opportunity at nine having been training well. He’s been great in the squad, he brings that experience and a voice to that nine position.

“Liam Williams comes in at full back. We did discuss whether we put Louis Rees-Zammit to full back and how that would have looked. But he still hasn’t played a lot of rugby in terms of coming back from a relatively long injury with his ankle and we just felt with the way the game’s going to be and the pace of the game, that him coming off the bench and the impact he can have could be pretty important.

“We’ve been disappointed with the results so far and for me it’s hard to take as it’s the first time I’ve lost three games in the Six Nations with Wales. We’ve had a lot of things going on off the field as well but there are no excuses.

“The message to the players has been that we have to be smart in terms of the way we play but we’ve also got to be brave and make sure that when the opportunities are on we shift the ball. We have to keep scanning and looking at options and if there’s a chance to move the ball then be brave and do that.”

WALES SIDE TO PLAY ITALY

15. Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 83 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 47 caps)
13. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 4 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 5 caps)
10. Owen Williams (Ospreys – 5 caps)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 38 caps)
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 46 caps
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 89 caps, capt)
3. Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 69 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 44 caps)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 4 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 8 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 91 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 98 caps)

16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys – 36 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 19 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 48 caps)
19. Rhys Davies (Ospreys – 1 cap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 7 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 43 caps)
22. George North (Ospreys – 111 caps)
23. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 23 caps)