Morgan handed Wales recall

Kevin Morgan has been recalled to the Wales side to face Italy in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash after making a swift recovery from a fractured jaw.

Morgan suffered the injury in Wales' defeat to Scotland last month and after undergoing an operation he was not expected to resume full contact work until next week.

However, Morgan replaces Lee Byrne at full-back in an otherwise unchanged starting XV from the defeat to France in Paris.

Winger Mark Jones and prop Chris Horsman have recovered from rib and ankle injuries and are both included in the side, while Gareth Thomas returns from a four-week suspension on the bench.

Thomas has not played rugby since appearing as a replacement in Toulouse's fractious Heineken Cup win over Ulster on January 21.

The former Wales captain was banned by a European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel for aggressive behaviour towards the Ulster spectators during the game.

Head coach Gareth Jenkins said: "Kevin is delighted to be given the all-clear ahead of Saturday. We had been hoping he would recover in time to make the Italy game and it's a welcome boost to us all to have someone of his calibre - and in his current form - available to play.

"Gareth will also strengthen the squad and he takes his place on the bench more than ready to make his return after seven weeks of no rugby.

"He's been training hard and has all the experience necessary to make an impact if called upon."