Posted by Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo will make his first Wales start of the autumn internationals as Australia arrive at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, 5.30pm kick-off.
The 31-year-old missed the first two weeks of test matches after a positive covid-19 test and subsequent isolation, before making a surprise appearance off the bench against Fiji last weekend following Josh Adams’ warm-up withdrawal.
He is one of seven changes to the starting XV that took the field in that victory as Tomos Williams returns at scrum-half, and Josh Adams is deemed fit enough to take a spot on the wing as Halaholo starts at 12 and Nick Tompkins shifts to 13.
Up front there is a new prop duo as Wyn Jones returns alongside Tomas Francis, along as the latter continues to pass concussion return to play protocols, while Seb Davies gets a first start of the autumn at his usual home of second row after coming on at flanker in each of the last three weeks. Aaron Wainwright is fit to start at number eight so Taine Basham reverts to the openside flank.
On the bench Elliot Dee goes straight into the matchday squad after returning to training this week, Ben Carter steps up as second row cover, Gareth Davies and Rhys Priestland return as the replacement half-backs and Johnny McNicholl is the outside back option.
Wales: Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Seb Davies, Adam Beard, Ellis Jenkins (c), Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Christ Tshiunza, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Johnny McNicholl
Cardiff Rugby Life 