Eddie James is set to make his first start for Wales, with Taulupe Faletau also pencilled in for a starting spot as he prepares for his Test return against Italy this Saturday.

Scarlets centre James has won three caps off the bench since making his debut for Wales last summer against South Africa. His only start in the Welsh jersey came in an uncapped match against Queensland Reds last July.

However, with Owen Watkin having suffered a knee injury in Paris last weekend, the powerful ball-carrier will make his first Test start in a must-win encounter for Wales.

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As for Faletau, the No. 8 has been lined up for a starting spot - after missing the 43-0 defeat to France last weekend with a knee problem. The Cardiff back-row's last cap came in October 2023, with injury keeping him out of the 13 subsequent Test matches.

His fitness, along with that of Aaron Wainwright, will be monitored as the week progresses - although both have been training with the team in Nice this week.

After spending some time on the Cote D'Azur this week, Warren Gatland's side head to Rome ahead of a crucial Six Nations clash with Italy at the Stadio Olimpico. On the back of 13 straight Test defeats, another loss would almost certainly cost Gatland his job at the end of this tournament - if not earlier.

A first victory in 16 months - and first in the Six Nations in two years - may not be enough to save his position though.

However, ahead of the clash with Italy - described by former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar as their biggest in 20 years, WalesOnline understands that Gatland will resist the urge to make mass changes after being kept scoreless for the first time in his 150 matches in charge of Wales.

James and Faletau are set to be the only changes, with Wainwright - having suffered a nasty gash on his face in Paris - set to take up a place on the bench.

As a result, there'll be no place in the matchday 23 for Tommy Reffell. After a solid debut as a replacement last week, Dan Edwards might have been considered to start, but he'll make do with another bench spot.

"It's easy to talk about it being a must-win," said forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys this week. "The pressure is massive. We know that and it is about us trying to get the players to focus on what we can control.

"Italian rugby has grown a lot over the last two years, especially defensively and how they go after the ball in the contact area. They are a very difficult team to beat, especially in the Six Nations."

Likely Wales XV: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (captain), Taulupe Faletau.