BREAKING: Wales forced into TWO late changes

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Wales have been forced into two late changes ahead of their Six Nations clash with Italy, with Dafydd Jenkins and Liam Williams both ruled out.

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Jenkins, who was set to start in the second row, has been withdrawn due to illness, while fullback Williams is sidelined with a knee injury.

As a result, Freddie Thomas comes into the starting lineup in the second row, while Blair Murray gets the nod at fullback. Meanwhile, Teddy Williams and Josh Hathaway have been added to the replacements' bench.

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Wales team to face Italy

Starting XV:
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 39 caps)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 60 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 60 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 36 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 37 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 19 caps) – captain
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 104 caps)

Replacements:
Elliot Dee (Dragons – 52 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 50 caps)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 53 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 6 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)

Wales will now look to overcome these last-minute disruptions as they take on Italy in what promises to be a crucial encounter.

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UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

The Six Nations is always a showcase of top-tier talent, but not every player pulls on their nation’s jersey having been born there.

With eligibility rules allowing selections through ancestry, residency, or other pathways, squads feature a fascinating mix of homegrown stars and those who developed their skills elsewhere before qualifying for their adopted countries.

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

This international blend underlines rugby's global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we’ve broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.

ENGLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/41 (95.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)

• Bevan Rodd (Scotland) – Parent
• Chandler Cunningham-South (England) – Born in England
• Harry Randall (England) – Born in England
• Marcus Smith (Philippines) – Parent
• Tom Roebuck (Scotland) – Parent

FRANCE

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/42 (92.8%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)

• Dany Priso (Cameroon) – Residency (2008)
• Uini Atonio (New Zealand) – Residency (2014)
• Giorgi Beria (Georgia) – Residency (2002)
• Joshua Brennan (Ireland) – Residency (2005)
• Emmanuel Meafou (New Zealand) – Residency (2023)
• Émilien Gailleton (England) – Parent

IRELAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/36 (83.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)

• Rob Herring (South Africa) – Grandparent
• Finlay Bealham (Australia) – Grandparent
• Cormac Izuchukwu (England) – Parent
• Joe McCarthy (USA) – Parent
• Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (New Zealand) – Residency (2020)
• Bundee Aki (New Zealand) – Residency (2017)
• Ciarán Frawley (Australia) – Parent
• Mack Hansen (Australia) – Parent
• James Lowe (New Zealand) – Residency (2020)

ITALY

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 21/31 (67.7%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)

• Dino Lamb-Cona (England) – Parent
• Sebastian Negri (Zimbabwe) – Parent
• Ross Vintcent (South Africa) – Grandparent
• Martin Page-Relo (France) – Grandparent
• Stephen Varney (Wales) – Parent
• Juan Ignacio Brex (Argentina) – Grandparent
• Montana Ioane (Australia) – Residency (2020)
• Ange Capuozzo (France) – Parent
• Matt Gallagher (England) – Parent

SCOTLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 25/42 (58,1.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)

1. Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) – Residency (2021)
2. Ewan Ashman (Canada) – Parent
3. Dylan Richardson (South Africa) – Parent
4. Will Hurd (England) – Grandparent
5. Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) – Parent
6. Ewan Johnson (England) – Parent
7. Marshall Sykes (England) – Grandparent
8. Josh Bayliss (England) – Grandparent
9. Jack Dempsey (Australia) – Grandparent
10. Alexander Masibaka (Australia) – Parent
11. Ben White (England) – Grandparent
12. Fergus Burke (New Zealand) – Grandparent
13. Tom Jordan (New Zealand) – Residency (2024)
14. Rory Hutchinson (England) – Grandparent
15. Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) – Grandparent
16. Arron Reed (England) – Parent
17. Kyle Rowe (England) – Cumulative Residency
18. Duhan van der Merwe (South Africa) – Residency (2020)

WALES

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 26/34 (76.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)

• WillGriff John (England) – Parent
• Henry Thomas (England) – Parent
• Will Rowlands (England) – Parent
• Freddie Thomas (England) – Grandparent
• Christ Tshiunza (DR Congo) – Residency (2015)
• James Botham (Wales) – Born in Wales
• Taulupe Faletau (Tonga) – Residency (2001)
• Ellis Bevan (England) – Parent
• Nick Tompkins (England) – Grandparent
• Blair Murray (New Zealand) – Parent
• Ellis Mee (England) – Parent

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