WARREN Gatland has given Hallam Amos licence to roam when the Newport Gwent Dragons winger makes his Six Nations debut for Wales against Italy.

The 21-year-old from Cross Ash will win his sixth cap against the Azzurri in Cardiff after replacing the injured Alex Cuthbert on the flank.

It will be Amos' first appearance on the Test scene since suffering a shoulder injury in Wales' famous World Cup win against England at Twickenham.

He made his comeback ahead of schedule in January to earn a spot in the Six Nations squad and after continuing his fine form for the Dragons, scoring three tries in six games, will get a first taste of the prestigious tournament.

Head coach Gatland caused eyebrows to raise when he claimed last month that Amos was "quick but not international quick" and yesterday, while reiterating that he sees the Dragons ace's long-term position as full-back, stood by that assessment, clarifying that he sees him an all-round package rather than simple pace merchant.

"He's been scoring tries and he gets an opportunity. He's got fantastic footwork, which is a real strength," said the New Zealander.

"I just said that I think in the long-term his position is full-back with a left-foot option and coming into first receiver.

"We just questioned whether he is an out-and-out international-quick wing and I don't think that he is quite there but he gets a great chance to get another cap and show us what he's got.

"We will give him a licence on Saturday to not just hang on the wing but go looking for the ball and try and get lots of touches.

"If he ends on the other side of the field or at first receiver, coming off nine, that's what we are looking for.

"We don't want him to be hanging on the wing looking for the ball to come to him, we want him to actually go looking for the ball."

Amos will be hoping that Wales pick up where they left off in the 25-21 defeat at Twickenham when they finally clicked into gear against 14-man England and threatened in the wide channels.

Gatland has kept faith with the side that saw their title hopes go up in smoke with scrum-half Rhys Webb's return the only unenforced change, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Justin Tipuric coming in for Alun Wyn Jones (foot) and captain Sam Warburton (head) respectively.