Six Nations 2017: Rhys Webb returns as Wales make five changes for Italy game

Six Nations: Italy v Wales
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Sunday, 5 February Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary

Wales __have made five changes from the team that beat South Africa 27-13 on 26 November for Sunday's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.

Scrum-half Rhys Webb returns from injury with ex-captain Sam Warburton named on the blind-side flank.

The other changes see props Nicky Smith and Samson Lee come into the front row with Jake Ball in for the injured Luke Charteris at lock.

Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau has failed to recover from a knee injury.

Scott Williams is preferred at centre to Jamie Roberts, who is on the bench, while Dan Biggar will partner Webb at half-back.

The Ospreys scrum-half missed the autumn Tests against Argentina, Japan and South Africa after suffering a knee injury against Australia on 5 November.

Lock Alun Wyn Jones leads the team for the first time since taking over from Warburton as skipper.

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The starting XV averages more than 45 caps a man, a fact acknowledged by interim coach Rob Howley.

"I'm delighted to name an experienced team and to welcome back five players who missed out on the opportunity against South Africa in the autumn," he said.

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

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); George North (Northampton), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins).

Wales in the 2017 Six Nations
Sunday, 5 February, 14:00 GMT, Stadio Olimpico: Italy v Wales
Saturday, 11 February, 16:50 GMT, Principality Stadium: Wales v England
Saturday, 25 February, 14:25 GMT, Murrayfield: Scotland v Wales
Friday, 10 March, 20:05 GMT, Principality Stadium: Wales v Ireland
Saturday, 18 March, 14:45 GMT, Stade d France: France v Wales