Scarlets half-back pair Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel will start for Wales in their next match of the Six Nations Championship against Italy a week on Saturday.

Head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to the lineup that began last Saturday’s match against Scotland, including drafting in a new front row trio in Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas and Matthew Rees, who all make their first starts of the tournament.

On the right wing, Mark Jones, dropped after Wales’ victory over England on the opening weekend, regains his place at the expense of Jamie Roberts, who made his debut against the Scots.

Galtand, who decided unusually to announce his side 11 days before the game to allow maximum preparation said: “We’ve made six changes but are in the enviable position of being able to do so without weakening our line-up.

“Players have put their hands up with performances from the bench and in Stephen, Dwayne, Mark and Gethin we are a bringing a wealth of experience and talent into the side.

“Italy are tough opposition and have been progressing well under a new coach in Nick Mallett.

“They gave England a scare last week and they always rise to the occasion and pick up a result somewhere in the Six Nations and we need to be on our guard.”

James Hook and Mike Phillips drop to the bench, where they finished Saturday’s game after Peel and Jones impressed in the final 20 minutes of the 30-15 win.

Tom Shanklin gets the chance to continue his partnership in the centres with Gavin Henson, and it will be the Cardiff man’s 50th cap as Wales chase their third straight win under the new coaching regime of Gatland and Shaun Edwards.

Gatland added: “Gavin and Tom are going well and developing an interesting partnership and both Shane Williams and Lee Byrne can be proud of the contributions they have made to our campaign so far.

“We thought Jamie Roberts had a big, strong and impressive debut in a Wales shirt against Scotland, we have recalled Mark Jones to offer us some extra pace and experience out wide.”

Wales: 15 Lee Byrne (Ospreys), 14 Mark Jones (Scarlets), 13 Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), 12 Gavin Henson (Ospreys), 11 Shane Williams (Ospreys), 10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets), 9 Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), 8 Ryan Jones (Ospreys) (c), 7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), 6 Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), 5 Ian Evans (Ospreys), 4 Ian Gough (Ospreys), 3 Rhys Thomas (Dragons), 2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets), 1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett (Ospreys), 17 Duncan Jones (Ospreys), 18 Deiniol Jones (Cardiff Blues), 19 Gareth Delve (Gloucester), 20 Mike Phillips (Ospreys), 21 James Hook (Ospreys), 22 Sonny Parker (Ospreys).