It has been coming - but James 'Cubby' Davies will finally win a first Welsh cap on Sunday after being named in Warren Gatland's side to face Italy on Sunday (3pm).

The 27-year-old has finally been rewarded for his outstanding regional form with the Scarlets, and will start at openside flanker in one of 10 changes to the side following the loss to Ireland.

Davies is already a veteran of the international game on the 7s scene, having played on the IRB circuit with Wales and in both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games - but until now a cap in the 15-a-side code has eluded him.

But after being called up for the 2018 Six Nations, the former Whitland RFC and Pembrokeshire Youth player now has big chance against the Italians.

Taulupe Faletau will lead Wales for the first time with fellow British and Irish Lion Justin Tipuric wearing six.

Experienced Bradley Davies, who has featured in all three opening Six Nations encounters for Wales from the bench, starts alongside Cory Hill in the second-row.​

Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis join Elliot Dee in the front-row, the Dragons hooker making his first start for his country.

Gareth Davies partners Gareth Anscombe at half-back with Owen Watkin coming in for his first Six Nations start to partner Hadleigh Parkes in the midfield.

Liam Williams moves to full-back as George North comes into the starting XV to form a back-three alongside Steff Evans.

Scarlets trio Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee provide the front-row cover with Cardiff Blues duo Seb Davies and Ellis Jenkins completing the forward contingent on the bench.  Scarlets’ Aled Davies, Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny provide the back-line cover.
 
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ITALY
Liam Williams (Saracens) (46 Caps)
George North (Northampton Saints) (71 Caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (4 Caps)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (14 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (30 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (16 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (5 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (29 Caps)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (13 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (60 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (55 Caps)
James Davies (Scarlets) (*Uncapped)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (70 Caps) (CAPT)
 
Replacements:
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (55 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (23 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (37 Caps)
Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (5 Caps)
Aled Davies (Scarlets) (7 Caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (7 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (76 Caps)