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Confident Wales set to name team early

  • Story Highlights
  • Wales set to name side to face Italy in the Six Nations on Tuesday
  • Coach Warren Gatland wants to maximize preparation time for his team
  • Wales have started championship with wins over England and Scotland
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LONDON, England -- Wales, buoyed by two straight wins at the start of their Six Nations campaign, will take the unusual step of naming their team to face Italy fully 11 days ahead of the match.

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Coach Gatland makes a point in training with Wales who have started the Six Nations with two wins.

Coach Warren Gatland indicated after Saturday's 30-15 victory over Scotland that he planned to make some changes and he wants to give the new-look team maximize preparation time.

"I'm not talking wholesale changes but giving players who have been on the bench an opportunity to start," Gatland said at the weekend.

"They will freshen us up, give enthusiasm and impetus."

Experienced half-back pair Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel are in line to start against Italy after coming on as replacements to help Wales to victory over Scotland.

Gatland was also impressed by the impact made by hooker Matthew Rees, number eight Gareth Delve and prop Gethin Jenkins, who will all be in with a shout of starting against an Italian side who pushed England close on Sunday.

Gatland's shake up of the Welsh camp after World Cup failure is growing apace and gained immediate momentum with their shock opening victory over England at Twickenham.

"There is massive competition now. You are talking about world-class players fighting for a place in the team," said Tom Shanklin.

"It's great. It creates a great buzz in training and when you get on the pitch, either at the start or off the bench, you want to make an impression." E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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