With potentially decisive games against France and Ireland to come, Edwards wants all his squad to get some game time under their belt with the IRB Junior World Championship also on the horizon.

He said: “This is the last opportunity to give players game time before selecting our strongest squad for our two remaining games against Ireland and France.

“We need to expose as many players to as much international rugby as possible ahead of the Junior World Championship because that will require a strong squad effort and we want the squad to be as competitive as possible.

“The boys responded well to the changes we made for the Scotland game and we are expecting another step-up in performance and cohesion from the players in Italy.”

Other changes to the team include Hooker Kirby Myhill and wing Harry Robinson returning to the side after injury.

Calum Thomas replaces Luke Hamilton at openside, scrum-half Lewis Jones makes his first start and Matthew Morgan returns.

Props Rob Evans and Will Taylor come in for Rhodri Jones, who is on Scarlets duty, and WillGriff John.

Wing Eli Walker and centre Jack Gadd are ruled out of this game through injury, while replacement prop Lewis Smout has returned from injury and will win his first cap if he comes off the bench.

But while Wales will be expected to make it two wins from three against the junior Azzurri, Edwards knows they are going to make life very difficult for his side, particularly at the contact area.

He said: “Italy had a difficult game against England, with England putting a lot of pace into the game.

“However, the Italians are a big, heavy team, and we will need to be up to scratch in the contact area and the set-piece.

“If we can keep the ball in place, we scored some good tries against Scotland so we will be hoping to further develop our attacking game.”