Centre Andrea Masi starts after shaking off a badly bruised hip. Both were injured in a bruising match against Canada in which three more Italians were hurt.
Coach John Kirwan has taken a gamble in not naming a half-back on the bench. Regular stand-in Mirco Bergamasco has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken cheekbone.
But the New Zealand-born coach said the scrum-half position would be able covered by Francesco Mazzariol if need be.
Hooker Fabio Ongaro, the only player to be shown two yellow cards so far at the World Cup, remains in the team.
He was sent to the sinbin in the 36-12 victory over Tonga and the 19-14 triumph over Canada. If he receives another it will jeopardise his participation in further matches, assuming Italy win.
“We’ll be switching the players a little,” Kirwan said. “Dallan may move to the centres where he’s played many times before, Gonzalo Canale has also played wing and centre for his club and Mazzariol has played 9, 10, 15 and 14.
One of the strengths of these young Italian guys is that they play all positions and that’s given me an extra edge with the bench I’ve named.”
Along with Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami is not expected to play again this world cup after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in the Canada match.
Centre Manuel Dallan misses the game against Wales through an injury he also picked up against the Canadians.
Italy – Gonzalo Canale; Nicola Mazzucato, Christian Stoica, Andrea Masi, Denis Dallan; Rima Wakarua, Alessandro Troncon (captain); Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro, Leandro Castrogiovanni; Carlo Checchinato, Santiago Dellape; Andrea De Rossi, Aaron Persico, Sergio Parisse.
Replacements – Carlo Festuccia, Salvatore Perugini, Matthew Phillips, Scott Palmer, Christian Bezzi, Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco Mazzariol.
