Young Wales star tipped for 'special' role against Italy

Wales are set to assign Joe Hawkins extra responsibility in Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome.

The coaching staff were mulling over whether to dispense with the idea of naming a specialist fly-half on the bench and instead ask Hawkins to cover the role.

The 20-year-old is expected to be named at inside centre in Warren Gatland’s starting line-up for the date at Stadio Olimpico, but there is a feeling he could eventually develop into a fly-half and follow the positional route the great Dan Carter made in switching from centre to No. 10.

He has impressed the coaches with his kicking and played his junior rugby for Pontardawe at No. 10. Those who pick the side feel he is mature, game aware and a good decision-maker and so capable of handling the job of acting as emergency back-up for Dan Biggar should it be needed against Italy.

Tomos Williams is set to be the reserve scrum-half, with George North covering centre and Louis-Rees Zammit the back-three replacement. Scott Baldwin, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Rhys Davies and Tommy Reffell are tipped as potential forward replacements.