Ryan Jones will take the place of banned lock Bradley Davies in the Wales team for the Six Nations international against Scotland in Cardiff on Sunday.
Former captain Jones was moved from blindside flanker in the team named by coach Warren Gatland on Thursday after Davies was banned for the remainder of the tournament for his dangerous tip tackle on Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan during Wales’s nailbiting 23-21 tournament opening win in Dublin last weekend.
World Cup semi-finalists Wales were boosted by the news that back-row forward Dan Lydiate has recovered from an ankle injury to reclaim his position at blindside while captain Sam Warburton and prop Gethin Jenkins are both due to start after fitness concerns.
Openside flanker Warburton had to go off at half-time at Lansdowne Road because of a leg injury while Jenkins was troubled by a knee problem that forced him to miss last weekend’s match.
Jenkins is set to win his 84th cap on Sunday after replacing Saracens loosehead Rhys Gill.
Gatland has retained the same back division that created three tries against Ireland, with centre Jonathan Davies crossing twice and teenage wing George North also going over for a five-pointer.
The Welsh will be looking to inflict fresh misery upon a Scotland side who haven’t won in Cardiff for 10 years and whose 13-6 defeat by England at Murrayfield last weekend was their fourth successive match without a try.
However, Gatland warned his side to beware the Scots, who earlier this week brought in fly-half Gregor Laidlaw following the sudden international retirement of Dan Parks and who will have Geoff Cross up front as prop Euan Murray’s Christian beliefs prevent him from playing on a Sunday.
Wales (15-1): Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Dan Lydiate, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins. Sub: Ken Owens, Paul James, Lou Reed, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.