Carlo Canna, usually a fly-half, has been named at inside centre with Tommaso Allan starting in the No 10 shirt for the first game of the 2020 tournament.
Alessandro Zanni, who has 117 caps to his name, captains the side in the second row, where he is joined by debutant Niccolò Cannone.
Prop Danilo Fischetti is also in line to make his debut from the bench.
Matteo Minozzi, who plays for Wasps in England’s Gallagher Premiership, will be one of the biggest dangers to Wales’ defence. He starts as Italy’s pocket rocket full-back.
“I think there will be a lot of continuity. I think Wayne Pivac is very smart in the way he goes about things,” said Smith when asked to analyse Wales’ selection.
“He spent five years in Wales – there’s a reason why they’ve appointed him after Warren Gatland. It’s going to be again a big physical challenge but I do think they will bring a bit of an attacking edge.
“World rugby is leaning towards a little bit more of a ball in hand approach going towards 2023 World Cup. Definitely the style Wayne played at the Scarlets will be noticeable in the new approach.”
Italy: Matteo Minozzi; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini; Tommaso Allan, Callum Braley, Giosuè Zilocchi, Luca Bigi (capt), Andrea Lovotti, Alessandro Zanni, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn
Replacements: Federico Zani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, Dean Budd, Giovanni Licata, Guglielmo Palazzani, Jayden Hayward
