Josh Adams and Uilisi Halaholo return as Wales make seven changes for Australia

Wales have made widespread changes to their team for the final November fixture against Australia on Saturday.

British and Irish Lion Josh Adams is one of seven new faces welcomed back into the XV after he missed Sunday's 38-23 win over Fiji having pulled up in the warm-up with a calf complaint.

The Principality Stadium will also be pleased to see the return of Cardiff's Uilisi Halaholo to the starting line-up after he made a positive impact off the bench in their most recent outing.

He'll partner Saracens centre Nick Tompkins in midfield, while Tomos Williams has replaced Kieran Hardy to partner No. 10 Dan Biggar in the half-back roles.

Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins has retained the captaincy for Wales' final fixture of 2021 and hopes to lead his country to three straight wins over Australia for the first time since 1975.

Hooker Ryan Elias is the only front-row survivor from that fixture as Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis come in to partner at loosehead and tighthead prop, respectively.

Ospreys prop Francis has overcome concussion symptoms to make the XV, while Aaron Wainwright will be back in the No. 8 jersey after he was ruled out of the Fiji clash.

Will Rowlands was forced off in that game following a head injury, and Cardiff utility Seb Davies has taken his place at lock while Exeter Chiefs starlet Christ Tshiunza remains on the bench after debuting last weekend.

Davies will be making his first start at lock against a Tier One nation and partners Adam Beard, one of only three players to start all four autumn Tests, along with flanker Taine Basham and hooker Elias.

“Australia have been on the road for a while now, the series they had down south and a couple of losses in the last couple of games," said head coach Wayne Pivac on Thursday. "They’ll be hurting from that and they’ll want to finish their tour on a high note, as we’d like to finish our campaign on a high note. It bodes well for a pretty interesting fixture.

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“Dave Rennie brings a physical approach to the game and we certainly expect that from the Australians but we have to be able to match that and impose ourselves on the game. It’s going to be an enthralling encounter I think and a great way to finish a series. We’re really looking forward to Saturday.

The Wallabies finished second to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship but have recorded two defeats in as many outings on their tour of Europe, losing to Scotland and England on consecutive weekends.

Wales succumbed to the All Blacks and South Africa before grinding out victory over Fiji last Sunday, setting the stage for a morale-boosting opportunity at the Principality.

Wales team to face Australia

(Backs) Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; (Forwards) Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Seb Davies; Ellis Jenkins (c), Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright

Reps: Elliott Dee, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Christ Tshiunza, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Johnny McNicholl

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