Wales may be in a fight to avoid finishing last in the Six Nations but that has not stopped coach Warren Gatland casting an eye towards the 2011 World Cup in his native New Zealand.
Wales face Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the final day of this Six Nations, knowing a fourth defeat of the campaign coupled with victory for Scotland against Ireland will see the 2008 champions finish bottom of the table.
However, Gatland has gambled on the inclusion of two youngsters with barely any senior rugby experience between them, let alone Test caps, for such an important match.
Tom Prydie will become Wales's youngest international when he starts on the right wing just a month after turning 18, beating the record of Norman Biggs that had stood for 122 years.
"Tom has been part of the set-up for the whole of the tournament because we had heard good things about him but wanted to take a closer look," Gatland said.
"We have to look at building strength in depth in the back three positions, especially when we look at the next 18 months building towards the World Cup.
"Tom is probably one of the fastest players in the squad, he can also play at full-back as well and he is not afraid to tackle," Gatland added.
Gatland has also promoted 21-year-old back-row Sam Warburton for his first Six Nations start in place of Cardiff Blues team-mate Martyn Williams (pictured).
Williams was talked out of international retirement by the Kiwi former Ireland and Wasps coach two years ago with the target of nursing him through to the World Cup.
But at 34, and following a third British and Irish Lions tour, there are signs the veteran is losing half a yard of pace.
Gatland's hand has been forced during this campaign that has been beset with injuries to some of his most experienced players, opening the door for the likes of 23-year-old lock Bradley Davies who starts his third Test in a row.
However, the return of 73-cap prop Gethin Jenkins from a groin injury means Wales can finally field their all-Lions front-row, which also features prop Adam Jones and hooker Matthew Rees, for the first time since the second Test against South Africa in June.
Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips also makes his first Wales appearance since that tour after a calf problem delayed his return from ankle surgery.
"We have to have an eye on the future, as we have done with the selection of Warburton, but we have a lot of experience coming back in the team who will also bring leadership and confidence," Gatland said as Wales look to recover from their 27-12 loss to Ireland.
"We are all hurting after the defeat by Ireland so now it's up to us to show the Welsh people how much representing the country means to us, as well as finishing on the campaign on a positive note." Italy make three changes, including one positional, to the team beaten 46-20 by tournament leaders France in Paris last week.
Andrea Masi switches to centre to make way for wing Kaine Robertson while scrum-half Pablo Canavosio, who scored a try against 'Les Bleus', also starts.
Flanker Paul Derbyshire and lock Carlo Del Fava, who'd come off the bench against France, were also in line to start but the duo were ruled out after suffering muscular injuries during training on Thursday.
Their absence saw flanker Josh Sole and lock Marco Bortolami retain their places in Italy's 1st XV.
Italy fly-half Craig Gower, the former Australia rugby league international, said: "We have been very competitive over the last six months and had only conceded three tries in three games before France.
"So it was disappointing to miss so many tackles against them.
But we are building as a team and it will be interesting to see how we bounce back."
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