Wales may be on course for a grand slam showdown against France in the final game of the Six Nations but none of their players is resting easy.

Warren Gatland, who as the new head coach has helped transform Wales's fortunes, will today name his team to play Italy, 11 days before the fixture in Cardiff, and the Llanelli half backs Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones are expected to be recalled after coming off the bench to help guide the side to last weekend's 30-15 victory over Scotland.

The prop Gethin Jenkins and the Gloucester number eight Gareth Delve, both replacements last Saturday, may also earn recalls. "I'm not talking wholesale changes but giving players who have been on the bench an opportunity to start," Gatland said. "They will freshen us up, give enthusiasm and impetus."

The coach has shown he is not averse to chopping and changing, which is bad news for last weekend's starting half backs, Mike Phillips and James Hook. Last week Mark Jones and Alix Popham were dropped despite the rousing comeback against England. "There is massive competition," said the centre Tom Shanklin, who was recalled last weekend. "It's great. It creates a great buzz in training and when you get on the pitch, either at the start or off the bench, you want to make an impression. You have to earn your position. Warren is not afraid to make substitutions so you have to be on your game."

Scotland's captain, Jason White, was one of four players to sit out training yesterday; he suffered a head injury on Saturday. Nathan Hines, who has a chest infection, and Jim Hamilton, with a shoulder injury, also missed the session. Wing Simon Webster is still to return to full training after pulling out last weekend because of a hamstring injury.