Llewellyn, whose career began two decades ago (1989), offers all the experience and the cool head that comes with 90 appearances at international level and is seen as the ideal partner for Charteris, who currently has 18 minutes of Test rugby under his belt after appearing as a replacement against South Africa last week.
The veteran and youngster come into the side for injury victims Brent Cockbain (shoulder) and debutant Ryan Jones (leg) in two of six changes – plus one positional – to the side narrowly defeated by the Tri-nations conquering Springboks.
Michael Owen leaves his second row berth to the 6ft 9in, 21-year-old, Charteris and takes up the No. 8 spot vacated by Jones for the positional change.
In the front row prop Gethin Jenkins gets the nod over Duncan Jones and Mefin Davies starts at hooker in place of Steve Jones, with both departing players moving to the bench.
And in the backs wing Rhys Williams is in for namesake Shane who damaged an ankle in last week’s bruising encounter and Tom Shanklin starts in place of Sonny Parker, after the centre tweaked his back in training. Parker moves to the bench, but is to be constantly monitored over the next few days.
Also on the bench, Gareth Cooper has declared himself fit after missing out last week and Jonathan Thomas returns from his suspension.
“The rationale behind selection for this match is to firstly beat
“In particular the second row pairing was something we were looking to implement for this match regardless of the injury to Brent. We want to have another look at Michael at No. 8 and Gareth, whilst providing an experienced cool head and guiding hand for Luke, has a real opportunity to play himself into contention for the
“We have no worries about Luke’s relative inexperience, I personally coached him for a year at the Dragons and know his game better than most. We have no doubt that he can take his game forward and learn from the likes of Gareth and Micheal Owen in lineout terms.
“The front row changes were again planned as we look for the best man for the job in the context of selection for our next match. With that in mind, Gethin will move over from loose-head to tight-head at some stage in the game.
“Ultimately by the end of the Autumn series we are looking for victories from our last three games and to have gained enough knowledge about the players under the pressure of international rugby to identify the best 22 for the Six Nations and beyond.
“There is no doubt that this is a must win match for us.
“It’s not going to be an easy day at the office for us by any means and we must continue to improve our performances.
‘In a lot of ways the Friday night game has helped us because we have a shorter training week and we have an opportunity to get straight back into action after disappointment against the Boks.
‘We hope the Welsh public can get behind us in large numbers on Friday night to watch their exciting and ever improving national side.”
Wales: G Thomas (Toulouse, capt); R Williams (Blues), T Shanklin (Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), H Luscombe (Dragons); S Jones (Clermont-Auvergne), D Peel (Scarlets); G Jenkins (Blues), M Davies (Neath), A Jones (Ospreys), G Llewellyn (Narbonne), L Charteris (Dragons), D Jones (Scarlets), C Charvis (Newcastle), M Owen (Dragons).
Replacements: S Jones (Dragons), D Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues), G Cooper (Dragons), C Sweeney (Dragons), M Taylor (Scarlets).
Romania: V Maftei (Aurillac); V Ghioc (Dinamo Bucuresti), C Sauan (Rugby Rovigo), R Gontineac (Aurillac), I Teodorescu (U Cluj); I Tofan (Metro Racing), L Sirbu (Metro Racing); P Balan (Biarritz Olimpique), B Zebega (Steaua Bucuresti), M Socaciu (Rugby Rovigo), F Tatu (Steaua Bucuresti), C Petre (Tarbes), C Mersoiu (Perigueux), MA Tudori (Perigueux), A Petrache (Beziers, capt).
Replacements: R Mavrodin (Tarbes), B Balan (Bordeaux Begles), V Ursache (Contor Zennerarad), G Oprisoror (Perpignan), I Andrei (Steaua Bucharest), F Dobre (Dinamo Bucharest), I Dimofte (Contor Zennerarad).
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
