PROP Sisilia Tuipulotu is back to boost Wales from the bench against Italy in the second round of WXV2 on Friday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

The tighthead missed the comprehensive 37-5 defeat to Australia after an ‘administration oversight’ with her visa for the tournament in South Africa.

The Gwent prop linked up with the rest of the squad on Sunday and is named among the replacements for the bid to repeat the Six Nations success against the Italians, who lost 19-0 to Scotland in their opener.

Centre Hannah Jones returns to captain the side after missing the last three games and partners Kerin Lake in midfield.

Jasmine Joyce, the three-time GB Olympian, moves to full back with Carys Cox switched to wing with Nel Metcalfe on the other wing.

Scrum half Keira Bevan and fly half Lleucu George stay are selected at half-back.

The Welsh pack selected against Australia is given a vote of confidence and will line up against Italy.

Four Wales U20s are selected on the Wales bench – Dragons hooker Molly Reardon, lock Alaw Pyrs, prop Maisie Davies and scrum half Sian Jones.

Head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “We have reviewed the performance against Australia and know the areas we need to tighten up on against Italy.

“We created opportunities against the Wallaroos and need to be more clinical and turn those chances into points.

“This is a short turnaround, and we have had to deal with disruptions and withdrawals, but we are focussed on producing a performance against Italy.

“We have emphasised the physical intensity we need to bring to every performance for the whole 80 minutes and how important that is when you wear the red jersey.”

Wales face Italy at Athlone Stadium and finish at the same venue seven days later when taking on Japan.

Wales: Jasmine Joyce, Carys Cox, Hannah Jones (captain), Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Alaw Pyrs, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight.