Saracens centre Nick Tompkins looks set to make his Wales debut after being named on the bench for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy. Tompkins, who qualifies for Wales through his Wrexham-born grandmother, will provide midfield cover for Hadleigh Parkes and George North, with North moving from the wing to replace injured centre Jonathan Davies. New Wales head coach Wayne Pivac’s starting line-up includes a Test debut for Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl, while fit-again Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau is recalled. #WALvITA TEAM 🗒 Johnny McNicholl set for first cap, uncapped Nick Tompkins named on bench for #GuinnessSixNations opener in Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Taulupe Faletau yn dychwelyd i'r tîm am y tro cyntaf ers y Chwe Gwlad 2018. Pivac, who takes charge of his first Six Nations game after succeeding Warren Gatland, said: “It is great for Johnny McNicholl to get his first cap.

Source: Irish Examiner January 30, 2020 12:56 UTC