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North recalled at centre and Sheedy will also start as Wales change 9 of their XV to play Italy

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Wales have named their side to take on Italy in their final Autumn Nations Cup fixture in Llanelli on Saturday, an XV that includes a recall for George North. He is one of nine changes from the loss to England, four of them in the backline.

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Liam Williams starts at full-back in place of Leigh Halfpenny in a back three also containing Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams.

Kieran Hardy and Callum Sheedy start at half-back together for the second time this campaign, with Johnny Williams partnering North in the midfield. North’s last start at centre was Wales’ 42-0 victory over Italy in the Guinness Six Nations last February. Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams and Liam Williams comprise the back three.

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Wayne Pivas faces the media after Wales’ defeat to England

Video Spacer

Wayne Pivas faces the media after Wales’ defeat to England

Nicky Smith, Sam Parry and Tomas Francis comprise an all-change front row, with Parry making his first start for Wales after three appearances from the bench. Will Rowlands partners Alun Wyn Jones in the second row with James Botham lining up alongside British and Irish Lions duo Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau in the back-row.

Saturday is another opportunity for these players and for us as a squad, it is another opportunity to continue to build and to see the results of all the hard work in training,” said head coach Wayne Pivac. “We have blooded eight new caps this campaign and importantly by the end of the match, each of them would have had a number of appearances to their name.

“From the outset we wanted this campaign to be about giving players an opportunity and we have done that.  The hard work in training is coming through and we want to show that again on Saturday and finish the campaign on a high, with the performance and result we want.” 

On the bench Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover. Cory Hill and Aaron Wainwright complete the forward contingent.  Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd and Jonah Holmes are named as the backline replacements.

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WALES (vs Italy, Saturday)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (37 Caps)
2. Sam Parry (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (51 Caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (4 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (142 Caps) (CAPT)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (79 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (80 Caps)
9. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
10. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (3 Caps)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets) (2 Caps)
13. George North (Ospreys) (97 Caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (29 Caps)
15. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (66 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (32 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (29 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (Dragons) (11 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (26 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)
22. Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears) (1 Cap)
23. Jonah Holmes (Dragons) (4 Caps)

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SK 23 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

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