Cardiff Blues openside Warburton, who captained the side in their opening clash with Ireland, missed out on the win in France with a shoulder injury, but is fit again to take a place on the bench ahead of Aaron Shingler.

Jones comes in for second row Lou Reed after proving his fitness with the Ospreys in the last few weeks.

Interim coach Howley, whose side picked up a morale-boosting win in Paris a fortnight ago after eight straight defeats, revealed last week that he would stick with the same XV for the trip to Rome, with Justin Tipuric keeping his spot in the back row.

And after the Azzurri’s surprise opening day win over Les Bleus, Howley is taking nothing for granted against Jacques Brunel’s side.

He said: “The side is fit and raring to go and on the bench we have brought in Sam [Warburton] and Alun Wyn [Jones], who have both returned from injury which is a boost to the squad.

“In France the players showed real determination and resilience and we will need that again in Rome.

“Italy have already showed so far in this campaign what they are capable of, so we know the challenge we will be facing on Saturday.”

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 Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
9 Mike Phillips (Bayonne)

1 Gethin Jenkins (Toulon)
2 Richard Hibbard (Ospreys)
3 Adam Jones (Ospreys)
4 Andrew Coombs (Dragons)
5 Ian Evans (Ospreys)
6 Ryan Jones (Ospreys) captain
7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8 Toby Faletau (Dragons)

Replacements:
16 Ken Owens (Scarlets)
17 Paul James (Bath)
18 Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs)
19 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
20 Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues)
21 Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
22 James Hook (Perpignan)
23 Scott Williams (Scarlets)