Wales hope Faletau proves fitness to start in Rome

Number eight Taulupe Faletau is one of only nine men to have played more than 100 internationals for Wales

Men's Six Nations: Italy v Wales

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 8 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1 and S4C.

Wales hope to start Taulupe Faletau in the Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday if the number eight proves his fitness.

Warren Gatland is also looking to give Scarlets centre Eddie James his first Wales start with the head coach making two possible changes to the side that suffered a 43-0 record drubbing by France.

Wales also hope to have Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright in the 23-man squad, potentially as a replacement, if the Dragons back row recovers from a facial injury suffered at the Stade de France.

James, 22, is set to replace Owen Watkin, who is ruled out of the rest of the tournament because he requires surgery for a serious knee injury suffered in Paris.

James, who has made three previous Wales replacement appearances, is in line to partner Nick Tompkins in yet another midfield combination.

Gatland is due to name his side on Thursday before his squad fly from their Nice training base to Rome as they bid to avoid a 14th consecutive international defeat.

Faletau and Wainwright aim to prove fitness

Cardiff number eight Faletau was unavailable to face France because of a knee issue.

The 34-year-old has played 104 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the British and Irish Lions.

Faletau has not been involved in an international since the World Cup pool victory against Georgia in October 2023 because of a series of injuries.

That was the last time Wales won a Test match with Gatland's side having since suffered 13 successive international defeats, including seven Six Nations losses on the bounce.

Wainwright, 27, left the field in the fourth minute at the Stade de France after taking a blow to his head but suffered no facial fracture or concussion.

"He doesn't have that fracture, so we are pretty hopeful he will be available," said forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.

"He had an unbelievable gash. That's the thing for us. He's a tough kid and he's like 'I'll be all right, they can just stitch me back up', but it's a pretty bad gash.

"He's got eight days to turn around [between games] so we are hopeful, especially since he's desperate to play."

Faletau and Wainwright will have to prove their fitness in the final couple of training sessions before the game.

Scarlets back row Taine Plumtree has joined up with the squad, while James Botham switched from flanker to number eight during the game in Paris.