Winger Tom Prydie will make rugby history as he prepares to become the youngest player to ever represent Wales at international level after the Ospreys (12/1 to win the Heineken Cup) youngster was named in the side to face Italy on Saturday.

Coach Warren Gatland makes five changes to the side that lost in Ireland (25/1 to win the Six Nations) last time out with 18-year-old Prydie included in place of Leigh Halfpenny.

Skipper Ryan Jones returns from injury while Gethin Jenkins and Mike Phillips are also back in the team with Gareth Delve and Paul James dropping to the bench.

Martyn Williams, who captained the side in Dublin, is omitted from the squad altogether with 21-year-old Sam Warburton coming into the starting XV.

However, all eyes will be on Prydie as he breaks a 112-year record to become Wales youngest players to compete at international level, with Gatland claiming he has picked the youngster with this summer’s games in mind.

“We are not sure if Leigh Halfpenny is going to be able to tour this summer as he may need an operation and we also need to look at our options for the future and find someone to push the incumbents for the World Cup,” said Gatland.

“He is the fastest player in the squad, he can play at full-back as well as on the wing and he is not afraid to tackle so we’ll see how he goes.”

Wales will go into the game against Italy looking for the win that will guarantee they don’t receive the wooden spoon. They could be saved from that humiliation even if they lose if Ireland (1/7 to complete the Triple Crown) beat Scotland on Saturday with Andy Robinson’s currently bottom of the table.