CARDIFF (AFP) - Gavin Henson is set to make his first Test start in over a year after being named in the Wales team to play world champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday.
Ospreys centre Henson, controversially omitted from Wales's World Cup squad, has been recalled by caretaker coach Nigel Davies for this weekend's one off clash with the Springboks. Henson's last full Wales appearance was against Australia in November last year.
Davies has chosen an all-Ospreys midfield with Henson partnering Sonny Parker in the centre and James Hook at outside-half.
"Gavin's partnership with both James Hook and Sonny Parker at the Ospreys has been going well of late, which is the main reason for going with that combination," Davies explained when announcing his side on Tuesday.
"We have had our hand forced a little in the backs with injuries to both Lee Byrne and Jamie Robinson ruling them out of contention, but the result is a pretty exciting new-look back line which I am sure can make South Africa stand up and take notice.
The new line-up sees World Cup centre Tom Shanklin move to the wing, while Llanelli No 10 Stephen Jones, Wales's first-choice stand-off in France, is on the bench.
Morgan Stoddart, Llanelli's 23-year-old full-back, is set to make his Wales debut after injury ruled out Lee Byrne and Davies said: "Morgan has been in a rich vein of form of late, and if he can retain his composure in what will be a cauldron atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium and allow his talent to shine through, then he could make quite a debut."
Cardiff prop Gethin Jenkins captains the team while the back-row vacancy created by flanker Martyn Williams's post World Cup retirement is filled by his Cardiff club-mate Robin Sowden-Taylor.
This weekend's match will be the first for both teams since the World Cup where South Africa beat England 15-6 in October's final in Paris.
Wales axed coach Gareth Jenkins after they failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals following a dramatic 38-34 defeat by Fiji.
Earlier this month they appointed former Ireland boss Warren Gatland as their new permanent coach but the New Zealander doesn't take up his new job until December 1.
This fixture will be Jake White's last Test as coach of South Africa. White, who is set to announce Wednesday a much-changed team from the one that played in the World Cup final after a series of withdrawals, is due to step down when his contract expires next month.
Wales team to play South Africa in the Prince William Cup rugby union international at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday (1445GMT)
(15-1):
Morgan Stoddart; Mark Jones, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin; James Hook, Dwayne Peel; Jonathan Thomas, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Colin Charvis; Ian Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones; Rhys Thomas, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins (capt)
Replacements: TR Thomas, Duncan Jones, Luke Charteris, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom James
