CARDIFF - Gavin Henson was recalled by Wales today for their rugby test against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Ospreys centre will win his 21st cap after being left out of the trip to Argentina following a demanding 12 months which included the British Lions tour to
New Zealand.
"We have picked Gavin because we believe he has got great potential and will add something to the balance of the team," coach Gareth Jenkins told reporters.
"There's a lot of competition for the number 12 jersey from young men like James Hook and Gavin Evans, who have shown remarkable form considering they are only in their first season of regional rugby."
Henson resumes his midfield partnership with Tom Shanklin which helped Wales win the 2005 Grand Slam.
Gareth Thomas will make his 89th appearance on the wing to allow for the inclusion of Newport-Gwent Dragons fullback Kevin Morgan.
New captain Stephen Jones partners fellow British Lion halfback Dwayne Peel.
Jones is one of only four survivors from the team that beat Australia 24-22 in the last meeting between the countries 12 months ago in Cardiff.
Ian Gough, Martyn Williams and try-scoring hero that day, Shane Williams, also start on Saturday.
Jenkins said: "There's a lot of competition for places which is very encouraging from my point of view and caused a real selection dilemma.
"This squad of 30 or so players is the strongest that Wales have been able to boast for some time but we are at the beginning of a process as a management group and this is our first chance to get it right."
The All Blacks will play Wales in the last test of their four-test tour.
Wales:
Kevin Morgan, Gareth Thomas, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones (captain), Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones.
Replacements:
Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Chris Horsman, Alun Wyn Jones, Michael Phillips, James Hook, Mark Jones.
- REUTERS
