It means Warren Gatland has selected all three of his 2009 British & Irish Lions front row to combat the physical Italian pack while Wales have also been boosted by the swift recovery of centre Jamie Roberts.

Roberts suffered a knee injury in the victory against England at Twickenham last time out and his replacement – match winner Scott Williams – was standing by.

But Roberts has proved his fitness, meaning Gatland can selected the same back line for the fourth match running with his only two changes – Tipuric for Warburton and Reed for Ken Owens – coming in the pack.

And Gatland is relishing the chance to see Jenkins, Rees and Jones in action again.

“Due to injuries to all three players at one time or another we have not been able to field this 2009 Lions front row too often and so, although we are more than happy with the job Ken has done for us, we are giving Matthew the opportunity make his contribution as the competition reaches its climax,” said Gatland.

“We are back at the Millennium Stadium in front of our home fans and we need to refocus sharply, after our Triple Crown triumph at Twickenham, if we are to give ourselves the best chance of being in contention for the Championship going into that final weekend against France.

“Italy will be hoping to find us complacent and with one eye on the French game, but nothing less than victory on Saturday will be accepted by this Wales team or satisfy the nation behind us and all of that leaves the players themselves brimming with ruthless intent.”

There are three changes on the bench with Owens replacing Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard and Dragons lock Luke Charteris, who completed his return from a wrist injury for his region on Friday, in for the promoted Tipuric.

Perpignan fly-half James Hook, now fully recovered from the illness (chicken pox) which meant he was a last minute withdrawal last week in London, returns to the bench in place of Scarlets playmaker Stephen Jones.

WALES:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues)
11. George North (Scarlets)
10. Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
9. Michael Phillips (Bayonne)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
5. Ian Evans (Ospreys)
6. Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8. Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Ken Owens (Scarlets)
17. Paul James (Ospreys)
18. Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons)
19. Ryan Jones (Ospreys)
20. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
21. James Hook (Perpignan)
22. Scott Williams (Scarlets)