Wales recall retiring North and Tompkins for Italy
Written by I Dig Sports
Wales have recalled centres George North and Nick Tompkins for the Six Nations against Italy in Cardiff.
Warren Gatland has made five changes, including one positional, for Saturday's Wooden Spoon decider following the defeat by France.
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 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.
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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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