North starts at centre, Navidi blow for Wales
George North will play at centre and Johnny McNicholl makes his Wales debut against Italy on Sunday (AEDT) but Josh Navidi will miss the start of the Six Nations due to injury.
North switches to partner Hadleigh Parkes for his fifth start in midfield at international level, with uncapped wing McNicholl coming in for the defending champions' first match of the tournament under new coach Wayne Pivac.
Flanker Navidi looks set to miss the majority of the competition after suffering a hamstring injury.
Fit-again back-row Taulupe Faletau returns for his first international appearance since March 2018, while uncapped centre Nick Tompkins could make his debut off the bench.
Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar made up the half-back pairing at the Principality Stadium, where Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny join McNicholl in the back three.
There is no place in the matchday squad for teen flyer Louis Rees-Zammit.
Wales team to play Italy
Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.
