Henson back to face Boks

Gavin Henson will make his first Test start for more than a year when Wales tackle world champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

The Ospreys star has been recalled by caretaker coach Nigel Davies. Henson’s last full Wales appearance was against Australia in November last year.

Davies has opted for an all-Ospreys midfield on Saturday, with Henson partnering Sonny Parker in the centre and James Hook featuring at fly-half.

It means that Cardiff Blues and World Cup centre Tom Shanklin moves to the wing, while Llanelli Scarlets’ fly-half Stephen Jones has to content himself with a place on the bench.

Scarlets’ full-back, 23-year-old Morgan Stoddart, will make his Wales debut - after injury ruled out Ospreys’ Lee Byrne.

Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales, while his fellow prop - South Africa-born Rhys Thomas – is rewarded for some impressive form in Newport Gwent Dragons colours.

The back-row vacancy created by flanker Martyn Williams’ post-World Cup retirement from international rugby is filled by his Cardiff colleague Robin Sowden-Taylor.

Wales to play South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

M Stoddart (Llanelli Scarlets); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), S Parker (Ospreys), G Henson (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues); J Hook (Ospreys), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, captain), H Bennett (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys).

Replacements: TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys), S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T James (Cardiff Blues).