Gatland rings Wales changes

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to his team for Saturday's World Cup bronze medal re-match against Australia in Cardiff.

Sam Warburton returns as captain after being sent off during Wales' agonising World Cup semi-final loss to France and then missing the Wallabies clash through suspension.

There are also starts for centre Scott Williams, half-backs Rhys Priestland and Lloyd Williams, plus prop Scott Andrews and lock Ian Evans.

Injuries have sidelined centre Jonathan Davies, props Adam Jones and Paul James and lock Alun Wyn-Jones, while half-backs James Hook and Mike Phillips are unavailable because of commitments with their respective French clubs Perpignan and Bayonne.

The selection is highlighted by wing Shane Williams, who has scored a record 57 tries for his country, making his 87th and final Wales appearance.

Gatland believes the match will be a fitting tribute to mark the end of Williams' international career, saying: "It does not often happen in professional sport that a player gets the opportunity to call time on his international career, then play one last match like this one in front of his home fans and the people he has given so much joy and entertainment to.

"Saturday is a great opportunity for the fans to show Shane what he has meant to them and we all hope to send him off on the right note."

Wales team: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); R Priestland (Scarlets), L Williams (Cardiff Blues); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: M Rees (Scarlets), R Bevington (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Knoyle (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).