Wales v Australia: Toulon’s Gethin Jenkins set to face Wallabies

Gethin Jenkins is one of four changes to the Wales starting line-up up for their final autumn international against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The former Cardiff Blues prop, capped 93 times, will replace Bath’s Paul James after being released by Toulon for the fixture, which falls outside the IRB international window.

In the front row, Blues prop Scott Andrews, who came on for Osprey Aaron Jarvis in the first minutes of the defeat by the All Blacks last time out, is handed his second Wales cap.

Ospreys lock Ian Evans completes his return from a knee injury to replace Bradley Davies, who has been ruled out with concussion and Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler replaces Ryan Jones, in the back row – with Jones retained on the bench.

The same back-line which suffered a 33-10 loss to New Zealand is selected, with Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar coming in for another player returning to his club, Perpignan’s James Hook, in one change to the backs cover provided by the bench.

“We need to pick up again where we left off in the second half last week,” said head coach Warren Gatland.

“We managed to retain 73 per cent possession after the break against the All Blacks and win the territory battle, and we need to put Australia under similar pressure from the outset.

“We have played them regularly over the last couple of years and have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but have not quite been able to get ourselves over the chalk of the finish line.

“Both sides have had injuries to cope with, but there is every reason for optimism. The Millennium Stadium crowd will be in full voice again, they were outstanding last week, and we are aiming to reach the end of a tough series on Saturday and finish off on a high.”

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Scott Andrews, Ian Evans, Luke Charteris, Aaron Shingler, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau

Replacements: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Samson Lee, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Tavis Knoyle, Dan Biggar, Scott Williams

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