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All change for Canada

All change for Canada

Skipper Ryan Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Tom Shanklin are the three players retained from Saturday’s 20-15 defeat by the world champion Springboks for Friday night’s second Invesco Perpetual 08 Series match against Canada at the Millennium Stadium.

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Wales coach Warren Gatland has rung the changes for the Canadian challenge, including switching Jones across the back row from number six to No8.

That means Saturday’s Invesco Perpetual man-of-the-match Andy Powell moves to the bench after an impressive debut.

Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts is set to make his international debut in place of Dwayne Peel, but the most changes come up front where Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones joins Blues flyer Robin Sowden-Taylor alongside Jones in the back row.

It’s all change in the front five with 2005 Grand Slam squad member John Yapp called into the squad to win his ninth cap following a two-year absence after Duncan Jones was ruled out with a foot injury.

Richard Hibbard and Rhys Thomas complete the front row while Ian Gough and Luke Charteris will pack down behind them.

There are five new starting faces behind the scrum with Mark Jones recovering from the knee injury that forced him out of contention against the Springboks.

He takes his place on the left wing as Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams is given a break, with Leigh Halfpenny winning his second cap on the other wing

James Hook picks up where they left off after replacing Stephen Jones at half-back and forms a new partnership with debutant Roberts.

Andrew Bishop joins Shanklin at centre in place of Jamie Roberts while Scarlet Morgan Stoddart starts at full-back in place of Lee Byrne.

“We have a short turn around before we face Canada and this was always going to be a game in which we tried to utilise our squad,” said Gatland.

“We have a chance to put defeat against South Africa behind us and really try to build some momentum before the All Blacks and the Wallabies come to town so we know what we need to achieve against Canada.

“It’s a real boost to have someone of Mark Jones credentials back available to us and we are also pleased to give Leigh Halfpenny a chance to get another cap under his belt with places still very much up for grabs in those positions.

“Tom Shanklin again gets the opportunity for further game time after coming in at a late stage last week and doing a great job and we are keen to see how that partnership goes with Andrew Bishop. Martin Roberts also has a chance to win his first cap and we are looking forward to seeing what he can offer us.

“Up front Duncan Jones has been carrying a foot injury so that has opened the door for John Yapp to join us and the likes of Luke Charteris and Robin Sowden-Taylor also have the chance to wear the red shirt and show us what they can do.

“There are many of changes from last week but we have maintained consistency by keeping Ryan in there as captain and we have some experience and impact players too on the bench.”

Osprey fly-half Dan Biggar and Sale prop Eifion Roberts all have the chance to win first caps for from the replacements bench and they are joined by experienced heads in Matthew Rees, Alun Wyn-Jones and Jamie Roberts alongside the impressive Powell.

Ospreys centre Gavin Henson was not considered for selection this week as the Wales coaching team await reports from a medical specialist in consultation about his Achilles injury.

WALES: Morgan Stoddart; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Andrew Bishop, Mark Jones; James Hook, Martin Roberts; John Yapp, Richard Hibbard, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Jones (Captain),

REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Eifion Roberts, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Dwayne Peel, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts

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