Wales have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday's match against Italy in Cardiff.

Dan Lydiate will captain Wales for the first time after Sam Warburton was ruled out with mild concussion. Warburton is replaced by Justin Tipuric on the openside flank.

In other changes to the team that lost 25-21 to England, lock Alun-Wyn Jones and winger Alex Cuthbert have foot injuries and are replaced by Luke Charteris and Hallam Amos respectively, while Rhys Webb starts at scrumhalf ahead of Gareth Davies.

'We have given Sam the week off, we decided not to push him through all the return to play protocols,' coach Warren Gatland explained. 'We have also been managing a heel injury with Alex so Hallam comes on to the left wing.

'I’ve been involved in a couple of times when Dan has captained the midweek sides and he jumped at the opportunity this weekend and it will be good to see how he goes.'

Tomas Francis, who has been named on the bench, is still waiting the outcome of his disciplinary hearing. If he does receive a ban then Aaron Jarvis will take his place.

Wales – 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate (c), 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin,1 Rob Evans.
Subs: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images