Taulupe Faletau is set to make his first appearance in a Wales jersey in 16 months after Warren Gatland named him in his side to face Italy on Saturday.
Gatland named his team in Nice on Thursday ahead of their flight to Rome for Saturday's must-win clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
As reported by WalesOnline on Wednesday, the No. 8 has been pencilled in for a first Test appearance since breaking his arm in the 43-19 World Cup pool stage victory over Georgia in Nantes back in October 2023 - the last time Wales won an international match.
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The 34-year-old missed last week's 43-0 defeat to France in Paris with a knee problem and has continued to be monitored closely this week in Nice. However, the Cardiff back-row has been taking part in training in the south of France and is in line for a long-awaited return.
The other change to the starting XV from Paris sees Eddie James, as expected, replace the injured Owen Watkin in midfield.
Watkin suffered a knee injury at the Stade de France on Friday that will require surgery, with Scarlets centre James stepping in to make his first Test start.
James has won three caps for Wales off the bench in the last year, having made his debut against South Africa at Twickenham last year. Since then, he's made further cameos against Australia and the Springboks in Cardiff, while he also started the uncapped clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane last July.
The partnership of James and Tompkins is the 11th different personnel combination Gatland has tried in his 26 Tests since returning to Wales. Given Watkin wore 12 and Tompkins wore 13 last weekend, that makes it the 12th positional combination he's attempted while trying to find a settled midfield - even if this week's selection is injury-enforced.
Beyond that, Gatland has kept faith with 13 of the starting XV from last week, with just one change on the replacements bench as well.
Henry Thomas and Evan Lloyd will make their second starts in Test rugby after the set-piece functioned solidly in Paris, while the second-rows, half-backs and back-three remain the same.
The trip to Italy comes as Wales look to end a 13-Test losing run and record their first victory in the Six Nations in two years, having last won in the tournament on their last visit to Rome in 2023.
Defeat for Wales this weekend would almost certainly seal Gatland's fate as Wales coach, having been challenged pre-tournament to lead Wales to success.
On the bench, Aaron Wainwright has recovered from a nasty facial wound that forced him off early in Paris to take his place in the matchday 23. With Faletau returning to the No. 8 jersey, Dragons back-row Wainwright starts as a replacement, with no room for Leicester openside Tommy Reffell in the side.
Dan Edwards, after a solid Test debut last weekend, keeps his place in the matchday squad, with Gatland opting for the same backline cover as in Paris.
Gatland said: “This has been an important week with a lot of hard work put in during training.
“We want to be accurate and disciplined on Saturday. It’s about our execution and how we manage the game.
“We know Italy are a quality side with physical players and are looking forward to a good contest. We’re excited for the challenge on Saturday.”
Wales team to face Italy: 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.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.
