Wales recall North and Tompkins for Italy decider

Wales have recalled centres George North and Nick Tompkins for the Six Nations against Italy in Cardiff.

North and Tompkins replace Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts, while tight-head prop Dillon Lewis comes in for Keiron Assiratti.

Captain Dafydd Jenkins reverts to lock with flanker Alex Mann starting.

Scarlets prop Harri O'Connor could make his Test debut having been included in one of the most inexperienced Wales' replacement benches.

Five of the eight replacements have made fewer than seven Test appearances with the front-row trio having just 41 minutes of international rugby between them.

Wales are bottom of the Six Nations, four points behind Italy, and have not finished last for 21 years.

Gatland said: "This is an important game for us. We definitely don't want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win.

"We understand that external pressure and expectation comes with international rugby.

"It's about embracing that, continuing the hard work and fronting up to go out and be accurate and disciplined on Saturday."

Wales are in the grip of their worst home run in the Six Nations, having lost their last six games in Cardiff, since beating Scotland in February 2022 and have lost 11 of their subsequent 12 games.

That run includes defeat by Italy on their last visit to Cardiff.

"Italy have quality players throughout the side and have been good at taking opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over," said Gatland.

"We're excited and will step up and welcome the challenge ahead. We're still looking for that 80 minute performance and have spoken about needing to be better in the big moments.."

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Wales: Winnett; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Costelow, T Williams; Thomas, Dee, Lewis, Jenkins (capt), Beard, Mann, Reffell, Wainwright.

Replacements: E Lloyd, Mathias, H O'Connor, Rowlands, Martin, Hardy, I Lloyd, Grady.

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