Parkes to make Wales debut as Gatland makes five changes for South Africa clash

Scarlets centre Hadleigh Parkes is set to make his debut for Wales after he was named in the starting XV for the final game of the autumn international campaign against South Africa.

The 30-year-old, who has represented Super Rugby sides Blues, Kings and Hurricanes previously qualify to play for Wales on residency grounds. He will team up with Scott Williams in the midfield.

Wales will be without centres Owen Williams and Jamie Roberts, who have returned to their English club sides Gloucester and Harlequins, though Taulupe Faletau will be available his club Bath will have to face a fine from Premiership Rugby for releasing him outside the international window set by World Rugby.

With Rhys Webb suffering a head injury in the previous game moving to the bench, Aled Davies takes his place while Kristian Dacey and Scott Andrews will come into the front row along side Rob Evans. Second row Cory Hill takes the place of Jake Ball, who dislocated his shoulder in the game against All Blacks

“Saturday is an opportunity to continue to build on what we have done so far and round off the autumn campaign with a big performance,” said Gatland.

“We have spoken about exposing the squad to Test match rugby and this weekend is a great opportunity for Hadleigh to earn his first cap and for Aled to make his first start of the campaign.

“We have had a couple of knocks from last weekend, with Ken [Owens], Leon [Brown] and Jake [Ball] unavailable but that just provides an opportunity for Kristian, Scott and Cory to start.”

Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Seb Davies, Dan Lydiate, Rhys Patchell and Owen Watkin form the new look bench as Wales look to end the season with a win.

Wales starting XV: L Halfpenny (Scarlets); H Amos (Dragons), S Williams (Scarlets), H Parkes (Scarlets), S Evans (Scarlets); D Biggar (Ospreys), A Davies (Scarlets); R Evans (Scarlets), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), C Hill (Dragons), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), T Faletau (Bath).

Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), W Jones (Scarlets), R Jones (Ospreys), S Davies (Cardiff Blues), D Lydiate (Ospreys), R Webb (Ospreys), R Patchell (Scarlets), O Watkin (Ospreys).