Wales have been boosted by the recovery from injury of Rugby World Cup stand-outs Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts for the team’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
Scarlets fly half Priestland and Blues centre Roberts have both recovered from knee injuries to make a starting XV that shows six changes to the one that lost to Australia in December and just five from that which defeated Ireland in the RWC quarter-finals six weeks earlier.
Alex Cuthbert benefits from the retirement of Shane Williams, the Blues player named on the wing for his second cap with Scarlets’ George North switching flanks to take the No.11 jersey, Blues fullback Leigh Halfpenny making up the back three.
There is also a second appearance for Saracens loosehead prop Rhys Gill while Scarlets hooker Ken Owens starts on the bench after making his debut at the RWC against Namibia.
Osprey Huw Bennett is set to win his 50th Wales cap, making him only the second hooker to do so after Garin Jenkins (58).
“We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas, we have been working hard and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“We are two sides who know each other well, Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand, they will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined mood.”
Elsewhere in the starting XV, Scarlet Jonathan Davies is reunited with Roberts in midfield and Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips also returns.
Davies replaces his regional colleague Scott Williams and Phillips replaces Blues half back Lloyd Williams, with both departing players providing cover from the bench.
Ospreys and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones returns to the front row alongside Gill and Bennett.
The final change from the Australia match sees another Osprey Ryan Jones come into the back row for injured Dragon Dan Lydiate (ankle), lining up alongside captain Sam Warburton and No 8 Toby Faletau.
The second row duo of Ian Evans (Ospreys) and Bradley Davies (Blues) is retained, with this pairing giving the side a different look as neither figured in the RWC showdown with Ireland.
WALES (15-1)
Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Ryan Jones; Ian Evans, Bradley Davies; Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Rhys Gill
Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams