Italy v Wales: Gareth Davies and Cory Hill selected to start in Rome

Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies has played 60 internationals for Wales

Wales have recalled Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies and Cardiff Blues lock Cory Hill for the Six Nations trip to Italy on Saturday.

Davies replaces injured Scarlets team-mate Kieran Hardy while Hill is rewarded for a try-scoring replacement appearance against England.

The rested Adam Beard drops out of the squad while Lloyd Williams and Jake Ball have been named as replacements.

Wales will face Italy before travelling to play France seven days later.

• Jones still enjoying 'adrenaline buzz'

Wayne Pivac's Triple Crown-winning side are two steps away from a Grand Slam following victories over Ireland, Scotland and England.

Hardy suffered a hamstring injury against England which has ruled him out of the tournament, while Tomos Williams is yet to return to fitness after picking up a similar problem against Ireland.

"Tomos is not quite ready with that hamstring he suffered in the game against Ireland," said Pivac.

"He is not far off. He is running, but not quite ready to go this week.

"Gareth came off the bench in the last match and has been in the top two since Tomos was injured, so we have stuck with Gareth.

"He has got a couple of things in his game he is working on. Speed to the breakdown is one with all our nines. We want to move ball and get it away from the breakdown areas quickly."

Ball will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench with Hill selected alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones as Beard is omitted.

"Adam has had a pretty big workload in camp and he was a bit banged up, so we are giving him a break this week," said Pivac.

"He will come to Rome with us, but won't be in the 23.

Wales lead the Six Nations standings from France, whose game at home to Scotland was postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak in their camp

"We are expecting a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm from Cory. He has trained well and that's why he earned his spot on the bench. He made an impact when he went on, so we are happy he will have a start.

"It will freshen up the big fella Adam, and Alun Wyn just rocks on as usual.

"Jake has trained well throughout the whole campaign and he deserves an opportunity in this game as well. It's nice to see him get his 50 Tests under his belt."

Wales have chosen not to rest Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau even though the British and Irish Lions back-rower has played for his club during the Six Nations on rest weekends.

"It's on an individual basis, and it's on workload for the particular player and what their volumes have been like," said Pivac.

"Toby is pretty conditioned. When he is back at his club, he is very economical in what he does, and plays out wide quite a lot.

"He has had a lighter workload today than he normally would, so there are ways and means of getting them through 80 minutes on the park on the weekend coming. With any luck, it might be a bit less than that."

Pivac has also chosen to name his team two days earlier than scheduled and it is the most experienced starting side in Wales history with 979 caps.

"We have had a good nine days since the last match, we know our side," explained Pivac.

"Once the injuries were all settled, internally what we wanted to do was name the team nice and early so we have a good build-up, and that's what we've done."

Ospreys prop Rhodri Jones has been released from the Six Nations squad due to a calf injury suffered in training and has been replaced by regional team-mate Nicky Smith.

Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Johnny Williams (Scarlets) and Nick Tompkins (Dragons) have been released to the Welsh professional teams for this weekend's PRO14 games.

Wales team to face Italy

Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Lloyd Williams, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo.