Scarlets wing Jones picked up a rib problem during the recent defeat to France and Worcester prop Horsman injured an ankle - both have been advised to take a rest from domestic action this weekend with a view to returning to international training ahead of the Azzurri clash.

Elsewhere, Dragons full-back Kevin Morgan is recovering well from an operation to repair his broken jaw (injured against Scotland) and is on schedule to return to training this week. He could then resume full contact work in the week preceding Wales' final clash of the Championship, at home to England on Saturday 17th March.

'Both Mark and Chris will be looking to rest their respective injuries over the next few days and we will further assess their progress with a view to them returning to full training after the weekend,' said Davies.

'Kevin's operation was a success and he is back in training although he needs a three week absence from any contact work which rules out a return before the Italy game.'

Morgan's and Jones' injuries make the return of Wales talisman and former international and British Lions captain Gareth Thomas from a three-week ban all the more timely.

Toulouse back Thomas, who has remained at the heart of the Wales camp whilst serving the ban imposed by an ERC (European Rugby Cup) Disciplinary hearing, says he is desperate to play.

'I've still very much felt a part of the team and am now just desperate to get back out on the pitch,' said Thomas.

'From a personal point of view it's been a tough couple of weeks, but I've just thrown myself into training and tried to be as enthusiastic and supportive to the rest of the boys as possible.

'The boys did well out in France last weekend and, although we obviously didn't get the result we were looking for, we started to look more like ourselves.

'We were under pressure just as we will be next week, but maybe that's not a bad thing for us. We know we can perform well under pressure and we will be looking to go out to Italy and notch up a win.

'That said, I'm certainly not taking it for granted that I'll be in the 22. This is a very talented squad, I'm fit and chomping at the bit, ready and raring to go, but if I don't make the cut I'll still be doing whatever I can to back this squad.'

Wales will be releasing all non-injured squad members who didn't feature in the starting XV against France back to their clubs and regions this weekend, making them available for selection for domestic rugby action.