NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Cory Hill will make his Six Nations debut on Sunday after being named on the bench for the opener against Italy in Rome.

The 24-year-old, who won three caps in the autumn, has been selected as cover for captain Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball in the absence of the injured Luke Charteris.

Head coach Rob Howley opts for Dan Biggar ahead of Sam Davies at fly-half while Rhys Webb returns at scrum-half.

Nicky Smith is preferred to Rob Evans at loosehead in the absence of Gethin Jenkins while Ross Moriarty is deputy for the injured Taulupe Faletau at number eight.

There is no place in the squad for uncapped flankers Thomas Young and Olly Cracknell with James King on the bench as back row cover.

“I’m delighted to name an experienced team for the game against Italy and to welcome back five players who missed out on the opportunity against South Africa in the autumn,” said Wales head coach Rob Howley.

“The Six Nations is a special tournament and we are looking forward to being highly competitive. We feel this is the best side selected to start the campaign, we want to get off to a good start and we feel experience will be vital in that.

“There has been a lot of energy and enthusiasm over the past two weeks and we are excited going into Sunday.

“We know we are going to Rome to face a hugely motivated and very competitive Italian side.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY ITALY 

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (66 Caps)

George North (Northampton Saints) (65 Caps)

Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (59 Caps)

Scott Williams (Scarlets) (41 Caps)

Liam Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)

Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (51 Caps)

Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (23 Caps)

Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (7 Caps)

Ken Owens (Scarlets) (45 Caps)

Samson Lee (Scarlets) (29 Caps)

Jake Ball (Scarlets) (21 Caps)

Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)(105 Caps) (CAPTAIN)

Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) (69 Caps)

Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (46 Caps)

Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby) (12 Caps)

Replacements:

Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (28 Caps)

Rob Evans (Scarlets) (12 Caps)

Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (17 Caps)

Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps)

James King (Ospreys) (10 Caps)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (21 Caps)

Sam Davies (Ospreys) (3 Caps)

Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (86 Caps)