The seven changes from the side who sealed an impressive 81-7 victory over Namibia last time out see Scarlets wing George North, his club-mate Rhys Priestland (outside half), Blues centre Jamie Roberts and Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips all return to the backline. They replace Aled Brew (Dragons) and Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies and Tavis Knoyle (all Scarlets).

North’s return sees Leigh Halfpenny (Blues) switch wings to the left side vacated by Brew and a further positional change in the centre sees Scarlet Scott Williams move out one spot to accommodate the return of Roberts at inside centre.

Wales’ most capped player, Stephen Jones (101), and centre Davies are on the replacements bench with scrum half Knoyle and wing Brew omitted from the 22-man match-day squad on this occasion. Up front, hooker Huw Bennett and prop Adam Jones return in place of Exeter Chiefs prop Craig Mitchell and Dragons hooker Lloyd Burns, with Burns on the bench.

In the second row Blues lock Bradley Davies is retained and partnered by Dragon Luke Charteris, with Osprey Alun Wyn Jones asked to provide cover as a replacement.

Elsewhere on the bench Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams keeps his place after making an impact last time out in New Plymouth, back row forward Andy Powell (Sale Sharks) is also retained and Ospreys prop Paul James completes the line-up.

Not considered for selection this week were Shane Williams, who is recovering well from a thigh strain, Dan Lydiate (ankle) and James Hook (shoulder).

“Shane might have been available to us if we had pushed him, but he has taken a limited part in training this week and we are happy with the back three we have been able to put on the field for this game,”said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Alun Wyn (Jones) and Jonathan (Davies), are two of the players who have started in all three games so far and so we have freshened things up a little in the second row and the centre, but have both of them on the bench if we need them.

“In the front row Huw Bennett comes back in after resting up last week and Adam Jones also adds his extensive experience. Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Jamie Roberts and George North are all also back in and we will be very much asking them all to continue where they each left off the last time they took to the field.”

Wales’ Pool D opponents South Africa and Samoa meet in Auckland and, with the meeting with Fiji not occurring until 48 hours later, Gatland and his charges will know exactly what they have to do before kick-off in Hamilton on Sunday night – but he is not expecting any change of mood as a result.

“Our focus is entirely on Fiji, we know if we can win one more game, and win it well, that will give us the best chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with significant momentum,” added Gatland.

WALES: Lee Byrne; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Lloyd Burns, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies

WALES

15 Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE– Cap No 1,041)

DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs

International record: 45 caps (W 19, L 24, D 2; 50 pts – 10T)

14 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 11 caps (W 4, L 6, D 1; 40 pts – 8T)

13 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

International record: International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2; 15 pts – 3T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 34 caps (W 16, L 18; 10 pts – 2T)

11 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

International record: 22 caps (W 10, L 12; 62 pts – 7T, 9PG)

10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3; 22 pts – 5C, 4PG)

9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)

DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs

International record: 56 caps (W 26, L 28, D 2; 30 pts – 6T)

1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

International record: 78 caps (W 35, L 41, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)

DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

International record: 44 caps (W 21, L 22, D 1)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 72 caps (W 33, L 36, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

International record: 27 caps (W 12, L 14, D 1)

5 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)

DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs

International record: 28 caps (W 14, L 14)

6 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 54 caps (W 27, L 25, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

International record: 20 caps (W 10, L 10; 5 pts – 1T)

8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)

DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs

International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2)

17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

International record: 28 caps (W 11, L 16, D 1)

18 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)

DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

International record: 55 caps (W 23, L 32; 35 pts – 7T)

19 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)

DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs

International record: 20 caps (W 11, L 9; 5 pts – 1T)

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 2 caps (W 2; 5 pts – 1T)

21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)

DoB: 08.12.77. 6’1” / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs

International record: 101 caps (W 41, L 56, D 3; 904 pts – 7T, 148C, 185PG, 6DG)

22 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB:05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 17 caps (W 9, L 8; 15 pts – 3T)

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

Ryan Jones captains Wales for the 21st time taking him to joint fourth in the all-time list alongside Gareth Thomas and behind Rob Howley and Colin Charvis (22) and Ieuan Evans (28).

And fellow back row forward Martyn Williams reaches two more landmarks, winning his 93rd cap, to put him in third place on the all-time appearance list behind Charvis (94) and Thomas (100), and making his 49th tournament appearance – a Welsh record – putting him in line to become only the eighth player to play 50 championship matches.

“We were all disappointed with the result last weekend but the good news for these players is that they have an opportunity now, just seven days after losing a game we all feel we could have won, to bounce back against Scotland,” added Gatland.

“The championship is by no means over and we are back home at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday looking to kick-start our campaign.

“This is a must win game for us and the Millennium Stadium factor will have a big part to play, as will the fans, and we are all very much looking forward to coming home.”

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Paul James, Gareth Williams, Adam Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (Captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop, Tom Shanklin

WALES

15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3″ / 1.91m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 28 caps (W 12, L 15, D 1; 35 pts – 7T)

14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10″ / 1.77m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 5, L 6; 43 pts – 5T, 6PG)

13 James HOOK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 38 caps (W 16, L 21, D 1; 214 pts – 7T, 34C, 35PG, 2DG)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4″ / 1.93m. 16st 10lbs / 107kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9; 5 pts – 1T)

11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7″ / 1.71m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs
International record: 69 caps (W 33, L 34, D 2; 240 pts – 48T)

10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6’1″ / 1.86m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 84 caps (W37, L45, D2; 738 pts – 7T, 122C, 148PG, 5DG)

9 Gareth COOPER (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 985)
DoB: 07.05.79. 5’7″ / 1.71m. 13st 6lbs / 85kgs
International record: 45 caps (W 21, L 24; 45 pts – 9T)

1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1″ / 1.86m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

2 Gareth WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,010)
DoB: 19.12.78. 5’8″ / 1.73m. 15st 4lbs / 97kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 6)

3 Adam Rhys JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 19st 10lb / 125kgs
International record: 57 caps (W 29, L 26, D 2; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,013)
DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 51 caps (W 25, L 24, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)

5 Alun-Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 36 caps (W 15, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

6 Andy POWELL (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4″ / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 7, L 6)

7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 15st 11lbs / 100kgs
International record: 92 caps (W 42, L 47, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)

8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 37 caps (W 21, L 15, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 28 caps (W 16, L 12)

17 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 72 caps (W 31, L 39, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)

18 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6″ / 1.98m. 18st 1lb / 115kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2)

19 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2″. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

20 Richard REES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,072)
DoB: 21.05.83. 5’11″ / 1.80m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

21 Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 15st 0lbs / 95kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 6, L 2)

22 Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 993)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 65 caps (W 31, L 33, D 1; 100 pts – 20T)