Wales Women makes five changes

Wingers Caryl James and Charlie Murray, both try-scorers in the 12-41 win over the Scots, have been replaced by Mared Evans and Kerin Lake while Laura Prosser comes in for Amy Day at scrum half.

In the forwards Lowri Harries starts at hooker in place of Rhian Bowden while Vicky Owens comes in for Jamie Kift in the back row.

“The win against Scotland was a big step forward for the group from a squad point of view,” said Wales Women assistant coach Rhys Edwards.

“The game against Italy gives us a chance to look at some of the fringe players. The back three we fielded against Scotland are all similar players so it’s an opportunity for Mared, who is returning from injury, and Kerin to show their paces.”

Wales head coach Kris de Scossa is expecting the Italians to be a difficult proposition.

“We will be playing in front of a partisan crowd and I have no doubt they will be looking at us as a scalp so they will be playing all their big guns,” he said.

“I think we will be going into the match as underdogs. Italy have had some success over the past couple of years and will be looking to build on that. We can only play one game at a time, and one opposition at a time. We are not the finished article yet so it’s going to be tough.

“The changes we have made are strategical and part of the first phase of our development.”