Josh Adams and Kieran Hardy in Wales team for Italy

Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named former Hendy RFC winger Josh Adams and Pontyberem scrum half Kieran Hardy in the final team selection for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, taking place at the Principality Stadium on March 16.

Returning to the starting lineup in the centre are George North and Nick Tompkins.

In addition, the team will see Alex Mann start at blind-side flanker.

Tight-head prop Dillon Lewis will make his first start of the championship.

Among the replacements, Harri O’Connor, another tight-head prop, could potentially win his first senior international cap.

Addressing the significance of the upcoming match, Gatland said: "This is an important game for us.

"We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win."

He noted the competence of Italy’s players, who demonstrate an impressive knack for seizing opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

He expressed excitement for the challenge ahead.

The coach explained that the team still strives to secure that elusive 80-minute performance, needing to be better in facing critical moments.

"We understand that external pressure and expectation comes with international rugby.

"It’s about embracing that, continuing the hard work and fronting up in training to go out there and be accurate and disciplined on Saturday."

The match, which will start at 2.15pm, is set to broadcast live on both BBC and S4C.

Wales team to face Italy at Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, March 16: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (Captain), 5 Adam Beard, 6 Alex Mann, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.