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Wales coach Warren Gatland has named two new caps, the Cardiff Blues duo of teenager Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell, to play world champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Also, Stephen Jones is partnered at half-back by Gloucester scrum-half Gareth Cooper, with Osprey James Hook and Sale’s Dwayne Peel named on a strong bench.
Cardiff Blue Jamie Roberts is selected at outside centre to form a new partnership in midfield with Gavin Henson.
IRB World Player of the year candidate Shane Williams joins Halfpenny in a back three completed by Lee Byrne and fellow nominee captain Ryan Jones switches to blindside flanker to accommodate Powell at No 8 – with Martyn Williams providing the missing link in the back row.
In the second row Ian Evans is preferred to Ospreys colleague Ian Gough alongside Alun-Wyn Jones, while in the front row Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones pack down either side of Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees.
“Both of the debutants have been form players so far this season so they now get a chance to test themselves against the very best team in the world,” said Gatland.
“At 19 years old, our message to Leigh has been to just go out there and enjoy himself, he needs to not worry about his opposite number, but just relax and play without fear and enjoy the experience.
“Andy Powell is a little different as he has been around for a while and is an experienced head, despite his lack of international caps, but he is most definitely in form. We will be looking to get the ball in his hands and see him run.
WALES TEAM (15-1)
Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues)Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks), James Hook (Ospreys), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues)
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