A re-jigged Wales will seek to bounce back against Fiji on Saturday after another nail-biting defeat by Australia, with one eye on New Zealand and South Africa.
Prop Gethin Jenkins will captain a Welsh side with eight changes to the team beaten 33-28 by the Wallabies last weekend in another dress rehearsal of pool action at next year’s World Cup.
Jenkins takes over from Paul James in the front row, while Scott Baldwin makes his first Wales start at hooker.
Flanker Sam Warburton, the regular captain, is being rested by coach Warren Gatland ahead of the November 22 and 29 games against the All Blacks and Springboks respectively.
There are recalls in the backs for fit-again centre Scott Williams, halfback Mike Phillips and five-eighth Rhys Priestland, who was jeered by parts of the home crowd when he came on as a replacement in the loss to Australia.
Priestland replaces Dan Biggar, who suffered a groin injury against the Wallabies, while Liam Williams moves from wing to fullback for Leigh Halfpenny, who went off with mild concussion during the Australia game.
Jenkins is the only surviving member of the Wales starting line-up who crashed out of the 2007 World Cup with an embarrassing 38-34 loss to Fiji in the pool phase.
Fiji also held Wales to a 16-16 draw in Cardiff four years ago and Jenkins said memories of those encounters had only hardened his resolve ahead of Saturday’s game at the Millennium Stadium.
“I remember drawing with them a few years ago – there was a down dressing room after that game with them drawing in the last minute – and I remember the 2007 game in France,” said the 108-cap forward.
“They are always going to bring an expansive game and try and take us on out wide. We know what to expect, but we have to concentrate on our game and keep doing the things we did well on Saturday (against Australia).”
Fiji started their November series losing 40-15 to France, but coach John McKee has called up Josh Matavesi, who plays for Welsh regional side the Ospreys, at five-eighth alongside halfback Nikola Matawalu of in-form Glasgow.
Wales: Liam Williams; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate; Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies; Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins (capt). Res: Emyr Phillips, Nicky Smith, Rhodri Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, James King, Rhodri Williams, James Hook, Cory Allen
Fiji: Metuisela Talebula; Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Nemani Nadolo, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Joshua Matavesi, Nikola Matawalu; Akapusi Qera (capt), Masi Matadigo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu; Api Ratuniyarawa, Leone Nakarawa; Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma’afu. Res: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Isei Colati, Tevita Cavubati, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Jonetani Ralulu, Timoci Nagusa
