Bluck back as Wales change four for Italy

Women's Six Nations Wales v Italy

Venue: Principality Stadium Date: Saturday, 27 April Kick off: 12:15 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru the BBC Sport website and app. Highlights, Scrum V Sunday, 28 April, BBC Two Wales from 18:00 BST and  later on demand.

Wales have made four changes in personnel for their Women's Six Nations finale against Italy at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Ioan Cunningham's side are aiming to avoid the wooden spoon after four defeats and need at least a bonus-point win.

Hannah Bluck makes her first start of the campaign in the centre as Carys Cox reverts to the wing.

Jenny Hesketh and Lisa Neumann return to the back line, with Keira Bevan preferred at scrum-half.

In an unchanged pack, Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips and Sisilia Tuipulotu make up the front row, with Natalia John and Abbie Fleming as locks.

Alex Callender and Alisha Butchers are named as flankers, with Georgia Evans preferred to Bethan Lewis at number eight.

Lleucu George partners Bevan in the half-backs, with Hannah Jones captaining the side from inside centre.

Niamh Terry could be set for a first Six Nations outing from the bench, while a fit again Kelsey Jones provides cover at hooker,

Nel Metcalfe also returns after picking up an injury in the opening round against Scotland.

“Nobody needs to tell us how important this game is for us within the tournament, or for what follows, but our focus is totally on what we need to do as a team," Cunningham said.

“Against France we created pressure and opportunities, and we just need to be more clinical and finish off those opportunities.

“Hannah Bluck has trained well all through this campaign and deserves the opportunity to start against Italy, and the experienced Lisa Neumann comes in on the wing.

“Our focus has been on what we need to do this week. We’re looking forward to the challenge and finishing the tournament on a high.”

Wing Jasmine Joyce and full-back Kayleigh Powell have returned to GB Sevens duty, while Kerin Lake (shoulder), Bethan Lewis (foot) and Mollie Wilkinson (knee) were unavailable for selection.

For Italy, captain Elisa Giordano packs down at number eight, while in the half-backs Emma Stevanin returns at fly-half.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi is this time deployed on the wing, while Beatrice Capomaggi lines up at full-back. Alyssa D'Incà moves in from the wing to outside centre.

On the bench, Lucia Gai is set to become only the second Italian to reach 100 caps - a record previously held solely by Sara Barattin.

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Georgia Evans.

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Nel Metcalfe.

Italy: Beatrice Capomaggi; Aura Muzzo, Alyssa D’Inca, Beatrice Rigoni; Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi; Emma Stevanin, Sofia Stefan; Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Sara Seye, Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca, Ilaria Arrighetti, Francesca Sgorbini. Elisa Giodano (capt).

Replacements: Laura Gurioli, Gaia Maris, Lucia Gai, Valeria Fedrighi, Isabella Locatelli, Beatrice Veronese, Veronica Madia, Francesca Granzotto.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)

Assistant referees: Sara Cox (RFU), Chelsea Gillespie (SRU)

TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)