Jones and Tuipulotu back for Wales against Italy

Hannah Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu missed Wales' first WXV2 game in South Africa

WXV2: Wales v Italy

Venue: Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town Date: Friday, 4 October Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer, live text on BBC Sport website & app

Hannah Jones returns to captain Wales in their second round WXV2 game against Italy, while Sisilia Tuipulotu is named among the replacements.

Jones missed the heavy 37-5 defeat against Australia with a calf injury, while Tuipulotu was still in the UK trying to sort out issues with her visa.

The tight-head prop joined up with the squad in Cape Town on Sunday.

Jones' return in the centre means a shuffle in the backline, with Carys Cox moving to the wing and Jasmine Joyce to full-back.

The pack remains the same, while there are three under-20s players on the bench in Molly Reardon, Alaw Pyrs and Maisie Davies.

Italy have made several changes from their 19-0 defeat by defending WXV2 champions Scotland.

Silvia Turani and Vittoria Vecchini return to the front row, while Giordana Duca is named at lock.

Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini and Elisa Giordano make up a new-look back row, while the experienced Michela Sillari returns from injury to take up her place in the midfield.

The backline remains unchanged.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from disappointing opening-round defeats.

Wales have won their last two meetings with the Azzurre, including a close contest at the Principality Stadium in what was their only win in this year's Women's Six Nations.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: "We welcome Hannah Jones back as captain and she is desperate to play after having to watch from the stands.

"Sisilia is now with us and selected on the bench and we know she will want to make an impact after missing her first game for her country.

"We have reviewed the performance against Australia and know the areas we need to tighten up on against Italy. We created opportunities against the Wallaroos and need to be more clinical and turn those chances into points.

“This is a short turnaround, and we have had to deal with disruptions and withdrawals, but we are focused on producing a performance against Italy.

“We have emphasised the physical intensity we need to bring to every performance for the whole 80 minutes and how important that is when you wear the red jersey."

Line-ups

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Carys Cox, Hannah Jones (capt), Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight.

Italy: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; ⁠Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, ⁠Francesca Grantzotto; ⁠Emma Stevanin, ⁠Sofia Stefan, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, ⁠Sara Seye, Valeria Fedrighi, Giordana Duca, Sara Tounesi, Francesca Sgorbini, ⁠Elisa Giodano (capt).

Replacements: Laura Gurioli, Emanuela Stecca, ⁠⁠Vittoria Zanette, ⁠⁠Alessandra Frangipani, ⁠⁠Alissa Ranuccini, ⁠⁠Beatrice Veronese, ⁠⁠Sara Mannini, Beatrice Capomaggi

Officials

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)

Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA), host union appt

TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZR)

FPRO: Chris Assmus (RC)