Six Nations 2023: The Wales team you wanted to face Italy
- Published
Owen Williams made his first Test start since 2017 in last month's defeat against England and his first at outside-half
Six Nations: Italy v Wales |
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Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 11 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website & app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app |
BBC Sport website voters wanted to see five changes to the side beaten by England when Wales take to the field against Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday.
You prefer Liam Williams to Leigh Halfpenny at full-back and would start Rhys Webb at scrum-half.
In the pack you wished to see recalls for Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell.
Those who submitted teams wanted to see Owen Williams continue at outside-half.
Ospreys number 10 Williams received 44.29% backing, compared with 37.75% for 106-cap Dan Biggar.
Head coach Warren Gatland has gone one step further, with six changes in his team announced on Thursday lunchtime. Matching four of your changes Gatland has also recalled Rio Dyer on the wing where you would have kept Louis Rees-Zammit. He has also brought in Jac Morgan rather than Reffell, with Christ Tshiunza making way in the official starting XV.
More than 50% of thousands of selected teams indicated 20-year-olds Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady should continue their midfield partnership for a game which looks likely to decide which of the two nations finishes bottom of the 2023 Six Nations Championship.
Hawkins polled 51.80% at inside centre ahead of Nick Tompkins (22.94%). Grady, who made his debut in the 20-10 loss to England, was named in 54.48% of selections at outside centre, where 111-cap George North polled just 10.31%.
You agreed there should be a change at number nine but opinion was evenly divided on who should replace Tomos Williams, who gained only 26.77% backing. Ospreys scrum-half Webb (36.92%) narrowly won the vote ahead of Scarlets' Kieran Hardy (36.31%).
Loose-head was also a close contest. Scarlets prop Jones was picked in 36.01% of teams, with Rhys Carre named in 35.20% of selections. Gareth Thomas - who started against England - was backed by only 28.80%.
Lock Jenkins featured in 68.58% of second rows, a clear choice to partner Adam Beard, replacing Wales and British and Irish Lions legend Alun Wyn Jones (22.07%).
And Leicester Tigers' Reffell took 49.93% of the vote for open-side flanker, Osprey Morgan (28.72%) also receiving more backing than the man who wore the seven jersey against England, Justin Tipuric (16.46%).
Morgan has been named at blind-side by Gatland instead of your choice Tshiunza.
You can still pick your XV but your selections will not be counted towards the result - remember to share your picks on social media using #bbcrugby.
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