Warren Gatland has called up Dragons favourite, Toby Faletau to start at Number 8 for Wales in this Saturday's Dove Men Series clash with South Africa.
Toby will be joined by Dragons old boys Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris in an experienced 23 that includes only one uncapped player in the shape of Ospreys wing, Eli Walker.
Dan, making his first start for for Wales since 2012, will be linking up with former team mate Toby in a hugely impressive back row that also features Lions and Wales captain, Sam Warburton.
Facing the Boks will be a massive test with which to kick off the four match series, a test which head coach Warren Gatland is well aware of:
"We always say we like to test ourselves against the best and Saturday is going to be just that with a huge game against South Africa first up," said Gatland.
"The Springboks arrive in the UK off the back of their impressive Rugby
Championship campaign and we know that we need to start well on
Saturday.
"We go into the series as Six Nations Champions but we are looking
forward to testing ourselves against the southern hemisphere sides and
showing what we are can do.
"Since we have been together, competition in the squad has been good and
it is great to have both Rhys (Preistland) and Dan back available for us.
"Eli has impressed for his Region and whilst with us and it's a great
opportunity for him to make his mark in a very experienced side."
WALES TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA:
Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan
Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Rhys
Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Unattached), Gethin Jenkins
(Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies
(Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam
Warburton (Blues, Capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons)
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath),
Scott Andrews (Blues), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Justin Tipuric
(Ospreys) Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams
(Scarlets).
