Despite 10 changes, Welsh are not being disrespectful — insists O’Shea

CONOR O’SHEA has dismissed any notion that Wales have been disrespectful to Italy by making 10 changes for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash. They are not being disrespectful,’ said Italy boss O’Shea. ‘Warren (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) is obviously looking ahead to the future. I know he is trying to evolve his depth, but if you are bringing the likes of (George) North and (Taulupe) Faletau in and putting Liam Williams to full back, it’s a pretty good place to be.’ ITALY (v Wales): M Minozzi; T Benvenuti, G Bisegni, T Castello, M Bellini; T Allan, M Violi; A Lovotti, L Ghiraldini, S Ferrari, A Zanni, D Budd, S Negri, M Mbanda, S Parisse (capt). Replacements: O Fabiani, N Quaglio, T Pasquali, F Ruzza, G Licata, G Palazzani, C Canna, J Hayward. WALES: L Williams; G North, O Watkin, H Parkes, S Evans; G Anscombe, G Davies; N Smith, E Dee, T Francis, C Hill, B Davies, J Tipuric, J Davies, T Faletau (capt). Replacements: K Owens, R Evans, S Lee, S Davies, E Jenkins, A Davies, R Patchell, L Halfpenny.

DECLAN KIDNEY and Les Kiss have signed three-year contracts at London Irish. Former Ireland head coach Kidney has been appointed technical director, while his old assistant