Jonathan Davies will captain a much-changed Wales outfit for the first time in their Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made 10 changes to the starting XV that beat France last Friday.

Davies takes the captain’s armband from Alun Wyn Jones, who is on the bench, with Jake Ball taking Jones’ place in the second row.

There are first Six Nations starts for wing Jonah Holmes, flank duo Thomas Young and Aaron Wainwright, and scrumhalf Aled Davies.

Holmes comes in for George North out wide, while Young and Wainwright replace Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric, causing Josh Navidi to shift to No 8.

There is also a new front row as Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Samson Lee come in for Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis.

Wales – 15 Liam Williams; 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Jonathan Davies (c), 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams; 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith.
Subs: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Hallam Amos.

Photo: EPA/Yoan Valat