Wales v Australia: Alex Cuthbert recalled to face Wallabies

WALES V AUSTRALIA

• Venue: Millennium Stadium
• Date: Saturday, 30 November
• Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online; live online text; live Welsh on S4C

Alex Cuthbert is one of nine changes in the Wales team to face Australia in the final autumn international against Australia on Saturday.

The British and Irish Lions wing had been expected to miss the entire autumn series with an ankle injury.
Dan Biggar gets the nod at fly-half, while Scott Williams returns to partner Owen Williams at centre.
In the pack Sam Warburton returns as captain with Ian Evans partnering Alun Wyn Jones at lock.
Scarlet Scott Williams has recovered from a toe injury to be named in the midfield alongside Cardiff Blue Owen Williams, who scored his first try while winning his third cap in the 17-7 win over Tonga.

Recent meetings:

• Dec 2012: Wales 12-14 Australia
• Jun 2012: Australia 20-19 Wales
• Jun 2012: Australia 25-23 Wales
• Jun 2012: Australia 27-19 Wales
• Dec 2011: Wales 18-24 Australia
• Oct 2011 (RWC): Australia 21-18 Wales

It will be Cuthbert's first Wales appearance since his two tries helped Wales win the 2013 Six Nations title against England in March.

The wing's recovery has been more rapid than expected and the presence of a player who has scored nine tries in 18 Wales appearances is a boost for coach Warren Gatland.
Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and George North make up a familiar Wales back three.
Gatland also welcomed Scott Williams' return as he and Owen Williams prepare to combine for the first time in Wales' midfield.
"It's great to have Alex and Scott available and they bring a lot of experience into the backline," said Gatland.
"Alex and the [Wales and Blues] medical teams have worked really hard to ensure he is ready for this weekend and it's great to be able to bring him back into the side.
"We thought Owen performed well in the centre against Tonga and he gets another opportunity on Saturday.

 Owen Williams scores against Tonga

"There is a lot of experience in the pack for what is going to be a very physical game.
"We are looking to finish the series off well.
"The last three games against Australia have gone right down to the wire and I don't expect anything different this weekend."
At half back, Biggar and Mike Phillips continue their partnership which has seen them feature six times together this year.
Gethin Jenkins, who reached 100 caps in the 40-6 win over Argentina that preceded the win over Tonga, returns alongside fellow Lion Richard Hibbard to the front-row.
Rhodri Jones will start his third consecutive game at tight-head in Adam Jones' continued absence.
Ospreys' Lions duo Evans and Alun Wyn Jones renew their partnership in the second-row after starting all five of Wales' 2013 Six Nations games.
Evans partnered man-of-the-match Luke Charteris against Tonga.
But Charteris, fly-half James Hook, both of Perpignan, plus Bath prop Paul James have returned to their clubs as Wales' clash against Australia falls outside the International Rugby Board's autumn Tests window.
However, wing North's deal with Northampton allows him full release for all Wales playing and training duties.
The back-row will line up with Dan Lydiate at blindside, alongside Warburton and Toby Faletau.
On the bench Scarlets scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who made his debut as a second-half replacement against Tonga, keeps his place as Cardiff Blue Lloyd Williams is omitted.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA

Team: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Owen Williams (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Unattached), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets).