Wales make 14 changes for Springboks clash
Liam Williams has been named at fullback
©PA
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made 14 changes to the starting XV for the final game of the autumn international series against South Africa to be played at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
With Leigh Halfpenny unavailable for selection due to concussion, Liam Williams is named at fullback after winning his 50th Test cap for the national side in the previous game against Tonga.
Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies form the mid-field partnership as Gareth Anscombe returns to the number 10 position forming a half-back partnership with Gareth Davies.
The front-row comprises of Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis while Adam Beard is positioned alongside skipper Alun Wyn Jones. Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate and Ross Moriarty form the back-row for a third time in this campaign.
“We have rewarded the team that faced Australia with another start this weekend,” said Gatland.
“Leigh (Halfpenny) misses out with concussion but it’s a great opportunity for Liam (Williams) at full-back.
“We are really pleased with how the bench has gone in the first three games so we will be looking for that impact again on Saturday.
“There were a lot of tough selection calls, but that is what we want. The team that played last week was hugely impressive and there are some disappointed boys who miss out.
“We want to end the campaign with a big performance against a very good South African side.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh players will wear rainbow laces on Saturday's game to show support for former captain Gareth Thomas, who was a victim of a homophobic attack last weekend in Cardiff. France players will also wear rainbow laces in support of Thomas.
Wales starting line-up: Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones (c), dam Beard, Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Nicky Smith
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin
