BATH prop Paul James will start for Wales in their RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Italy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

The 31 year old, capped 34 times by his country, replaces injured prop Gethin Jenkins as the reigning champions open their campaign.

Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones will captain the side, taking over from Sam Warburton, who will begin his comeback after two months out with a shoulder injury on the replacements' bench.

Elsewhere, Rhys Priestland has edged out Dan Biggar for fly-half duties, Jamie Roberts returns in midfield after missing this season's autumn Tests and Luke Charteris fills the second-row vacancy left by suspended Ospreys forward Ian Evans.

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