There are four changes to the team that played France last weekend for the historic, stand-alone Test match at the Principality Stadium.
Centre Hannah Jones captains the side and is partnered in the midfield by Hannah Bluck, who makes her first start of this W6N campaign. Jenny Hesketh, who is one of six players who have made their debut in this tournament, returns at full-back.
Scrum half Keira Bevan partners Lleucu George at half-back, while experienced wing Lisa Neumann is named on the wing.
The same Welsh pack that started against France is once again selected to face the Italians – Sisilia Tuipulotu joins Carys Phillips and Gwenllian Pyrs in the front row with Abbie Fleming and Natalia John packing down in the Wales engine room. Vice-captain Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers and Georgia Evans make up the Wales back row.
Ioan Cunningham, the Wales Head coach, said: “Nobody needs to tell us how important this game is for us within the tournament, or for what follows, but our focus is totally on what we need to do as a team.
“We’re making history by playing the first stand-alone women’s Test match at the Principality Stadium and it’s a stage this squad of players have worked hard for and deserve. We know how important the home crowd has always been to our performances at home and this is no different.
“The Welsh supporters have been a big part of our successes, and we look forward to them getting behind us again. Against France, we created pressure and opportunities, and we just need to be more clinical and finish off those opportunities.
“Hannah Bluck has trained well all through this campaign and deserves the opportunity to start at against Italy and the experienced Lisa Neumann comes in on the wing.
“Our focus has been on what we need to do this week. We’re looking forward to the challenge and finishing the tournament on a high.”
Wing Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell have returned to GB Sevens duty, while Kerin Lake (shoulder), Bethan Lewis (foot) and Mollie Wilkinson (knee) were unavailable for selection.
Wales (v Italy): Jenny Hesketh; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (captain), Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender (vice-captain), Georgia Evans
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Nel Metcalfe
