Newport Gwent Dragons’ star Danny Lydiate will start at blindside flanker for Wales against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Having impressed in the opening Invesco Perpetual Series defeat to Australia last weekend, Danny has retained his place to take on the world champions in a Wales side which includes a handful of changes from the team which faced the Wallabies.
Lee Byrne returns from injury to fill the full-back birth leaving Ospreys colleague James Hook to take up his position at inside centre, partnering Blues stalwart Tom Shanklin at the expense of another Osprey Andrew Bishop who moves to the bench.
The other change in the backline sees uncapped Scarlets wing and former Llandovery and Scarlets Academy player George North handed his first international chance, and become Wales' 1,078th player, at just 18 years of age.
Up front the coaches have said same again to the forward pack, led by captain Matthew Rees, which impressed against the Wallabies last time out with the exception of Martyn Williams who returns in the back row for his 97th cap in place of his injured Blues colleague Sam Warburton (calf).
Elsewhere, Ryan Jones (Ospreys) and Andy Powell (Wasps) both return to bench duty in place of the promoted Williams and Deiniol Jones (Blues), who misses out, while Ospreys pivot Dan Biggar makes way for Bishop.
"We worked hard last week on ensuring we were combative up front, we put a huge emphasis on forward play in training and we now know we can bring that kind of game into play when necessary," said Gatland.
"We were happy with aspects of our performance against Australia, but you can't work on everything in just a two week build up and we have been able to introduce new aspects this week.
The coaches have told the players they have a licence to be creative, to be confident with the ball in hand, to offload and to be positive in attack, we need to build on that performance last week.
"We know this is a bold selection, but we have always tried to look at the bigger picture and George (North), today, is the bigger picture and at 6ft 4 inches and 16stone 7lbs he gives us quite a canvass to work with.
"There is no pressure on him, he just needs to go out and enjoy the experience of winning his first cap.
"With Lee Byrne back at full-back and James Hook hopefully with the ball in his hands more often at centre we have plenty of experience and guile around in our back line and are simply looking for the same again up front."
WALES: 15 Lee Byrne; 14 George North, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees (C), Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Chris Czekaj
15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6'3" / 1.91m. 15st 1lb / 96kgs
International record: 35 caps (W 14, L 20, D 1; 40 pts – 8T)
14 George NORTH (SCARLETS)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: Uncapped
13 Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 993)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6’2” / 1.88m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 67 caps (W 32, L 34, D 1; 100 pts – 20T)
12 James HOOK (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 44 caps (W 18, L 25, D 1; 232 pts – 10T, 34C, 35PG, 3DG)
11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 74 caps (W 35, L 37, D 2; 255 pts – 51T)
10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1” / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 92 caps (W 39, L51, D2; 824 pts - 7T, 132C, 169PG, 6DG)
9 Michael PHILLIPS (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 16st 0lb / 101kgs
International record: 43 caps (W 21, L 21, D 1; 20 pts – 4T)
1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 75 caps (W 33, L 40, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)
2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS, CAPTAIN– Cap No 1,033)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 13lbs / 108kgs
International record: 40 caps (W 17, L 22, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)
3 Adam Rhys JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 10lb / 119kgs
International record: 65 caps (W 31, L 32, D 2; 10 pts – 2T)
4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 18st 12lbs / 120kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)
5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 8lbs / 118kgs
International record: 41 caps (W 16, L 25; 25 pts – 5T)
6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 4lbs / 110kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6'0" / 1.83m. 14st 22lbs / 94kgs
International record: 96 caps (W 42, L 51, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)
8 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,013)
DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 59 caps (W 27, L 30, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 35 caps (W 18, L 17)
17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 5, L 9)
18 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 3lbs / 109kgs
International record: 43 caps (W 23, L 19, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)
19 Andy POWELL (LONDON WASPS – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 8, L 6)
20 Richard REES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,072)
DoB: 21.05.83. 5’11” / 1.80m. 12st 8lb / 79kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 5; 5 pts – 1T)
21 Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 10lbs / 93kgs
International record: 12 caps (W 7, L 5)
22 Chris CZEKAJ (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 1,038)
DoB: 14.12.85. 6’3” / 1.91m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)
Lee Byrne returns from injury to fill the full-back birth leaving Ospreys colleague James Hook to take up his position at inside centre, partnering Blues stalwart Tom Shanklin at the expense of another Osprey Andrew Bishop who moves to the bench.
The other change in the backline sees uncapped Scarlets wing and former Llandovery and Scarlets Academy player George North handed his first international chance, and become Wales' 1,078th player, at just 18 years of age.
Up front the coaches have said same again to the forward pack, led by captain Matthew Rees, which impressed against the Wallabies last time out with the exception of Martyn Williams who returns in the back row for his 97th cap in place of his injured Blues colleague Sam Warburton (calf).
Elsewhere, Ryan Jones (Ospreys) and Andy Powell (Wasps) both return to bench duty in place of the promoted Williams and Deiniol Jones (Blues), who misses out, while Ospreys pivot Dan Biggar makes way for Bishop.
"We worked hard last week on ensuring we were combative up front, we put a huge emphasis on forward play in training and we now know we can bring that kind of game into play when necessary," said Gatland.
"We were happy with aspects of our performance against Australia, but you can't work on everything in just a two week build up and we have been able to introduce new aspects this week.
The coaches have told the players they have a licence to be creative, to be confident with the ball in hand, to offload and to be positive in attack, we need to build on that performance last week.
"We know this is a bold selection, but we have always tried to look at the bigger picture and George (North), today, is the bigger picture and at 6ft 4 inches and 16stone 7lbs he gives us quite a canvass to work with.
"There is no pressure on him, he just needs to go out and enjoy the experience of winning his first cap.
"With Lee Byrne back at full-back and James Hook hopefully with the ball in his hands more often at centre we have plenty of experience and guile around in our back line and are simply looking for the same again up front."
WALES: 15 Lee Byrne; 14 George North, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees (C), Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Chris Czekaj
15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6'3" / 1.91m. 15st 1lb / 96kgs
International record: 35 caps (W 14, L 20, D 1; 40 pts – 8T)
14 George NORTH (SCARLETS)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: Uncapped
13 Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 993)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6’2” / 1.88m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 67 caps (W 32, L 34, D 1; 100 pts – 20T)
12 James HOOK (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 44 caps (W 18, L 25, D 1; 232 pts – 10T, 34C, 35PG, 3DG)
11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 74 caps (W 35, L 37, D 2; 255 pts – 51T)
10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1” / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 92 caps (W 39, L51, D2; 824 pts - 7T, 132C, 169PG, 6DG)
9 Michael PHILLIPS (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 16st 0lb / 101kgs
International record: 43 caps (W 21, L 21, D 1; 20 pts – 4T)
1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 75 caps (W 33, L 40, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)
2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS, CAPTAIN– Cap No 1,033)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 13lbs / 108kgs
International record: 40 caps (W 17, L 22, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)
3 Adam Rhys JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 10lb / 119kgs
International record: 65 caps (W 31, L 32, D 2; 10 pts – 2T)
4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 18st 12lbs / 120kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)
5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 8lbs / 118kgs
International record: 41 caps (W 16, L 25; 25 pts – 5T)
6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 4lbs / 110kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6'0" / 1.83m. 14st 22lbs / 94kgs
International record: 96 caps (W 42, L 51, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)
8 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,013)
DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 59 caps (W 27, L 30, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 35 caps (W 18, L 17)
17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 5, L 9)
18 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 3lbs / 109kgs
International record: 43 caps (W 23, L 19, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)
19 Andy POWELL (LONDON WASPS – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 8, L 6)
20 Richard REES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,072)
DoB: 21.05.83. 5’11” / 1.80m. 12st 8lb / 79kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 5; 5 pts – 1T)
21 Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 10lbs / 93kgs
International record: 12 caps (W 7, L 5)
22 Chris CZEKAJ (CARDIFF BLUES– Cap No 1,038)
DoB: 14.12.85. 6’3” / 1.91m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)
