No. 8 Aaron Wainwright will win his 50th international cap six years after making his first Wales appearance as a replacement in the 23-10 win over Argentina in San Juan (9 June 2018).
Josh Hathaway is selected on the wing to make his senior international debut and become the 1,207th men’s player to represent Wales.
Rio Dyer is named on the opposite wing, while Liam Williams moves to full-back.
Captain Dewi Lake starts at hooker. Archie Griffin, selected at tighthead prop, makes his first start for Wales. Gareth Thomas (loosehead prop) completes the front row.
Christ Tshiunza features for Wales for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2023, he partners Dafydd Jenkins in the second row.
Taine Plumtree is at blind-side flanker, Tommy Reffell returns to the starting XV at open-side flanker.
Ellis Bevan, who won his first cap against South Africa two weeks ago, continues at scrum half. Ben Thomas starts at fly half, making his first appearance for Wales since 2021.
Mason Grady and Owen Watkin again pair up in the midfield.
On the Wales bench Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias and Harri O’Connor are the front row cover with Cory Hill and James Botham the other forward replacements.
Back-line cover is provided by Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow and Nick Tompkins.
Gatland said: “We’ve had a good week of preparations here in Sydney and are excited to get out on field on Saturday.
“This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us. Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.
“There’s a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us this weekend.”
Wales XV to face Australia
15. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 90 caps)
14. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – uncapped)
13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 39 caps)
12. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 12 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 20 caps)
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 31 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 13 caps)
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 1 cap)
4. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 10 caps)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 17 caps)
6. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 3 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 18 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 49 caps)
Replacements
16. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
17. Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 3 caps)
18. Harri O’Connor (Scarlets – 2 caps)
19. Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts – 32 caps)
20. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 21 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 13 caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 36 caps)
2024 AUSTRALIA TOUR FIXTURES
Saturday 6 July: Australia v Wales
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
KO 10.45h BST / 19.45h local time
Saturday 13 July: Australia v Wales
AAMI Park, Melbourne
KO 10.45 BST / 19.45h local time
Friday 19 July: Queensland Reds v Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
KO 10.45 BST / 19.45h local time
