Sam Warburton named on Wales bench

Sam Warburton has been named on the Wales bench for their Six Nations opener at home to Italy on Saturday.

The flanker had been an injury doubt for the defending champions after suffering a shoulder problem back in November.

Alun Wyn Jones will captain the side in Warburton's absence for the match in Cardiff.

Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate and George North are all included in the starting XV.

Wales team to face Italy:

Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau Replacements: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Rhodri Jones, Andrew Coombs, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Liam Williams