Wales v New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, November 7
James and Guildford set to start
Scrum.com
November 5, 2009
Wales prop Paul James reaches for the ball during training at the Vale Hotel, Hensol, Wales, November 2, 2009
Paul James starts in the Welsh front-row © Getty Images
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Ospreys prop Paul James has been handed a shock start in Wales' front-row to face New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales are again out to break their winless streak against the All Blacks, dating back to 1953, but do so without a host of first-choice players.

James will win his second cap as cover for his regional team-mate Adam Jones, six years after his debut against Romania in Wrexham, alongside British & Irish Lions Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees.

James Hook starts at fullback following injury to Lee Byrne, with Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams manning the wings. Experienced Scarlets wing Mark Jones has been ruled out of the remainder of the November series with a knee injury picked up in training, meaning a call for Blues wing Tom James on the bench.

As expected, Gareth Cooper partners Stephen Jones at halfback following injury to Mike Phillips and Sale's refusal to release Dwayne Peel for the fixture.

Behind James, Newport-Gwent Dragons skipper Luke Charteris has been given the nod to start in the second-row with Alun-Wyn Jones. Ryan Jones skippers Wales and starts at No.8, with Martyn Williams completing his shcok return from injury by starting on the openside. Williams' Cardiff Blues team-mate Andy Powell wears No.6 for the first time at international level.

Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford will make his Test debut as one of six changes in the New Zealand line-up. Fly-half Dan Carter has proved his fitness to start and lock Jason Eaton makes his first start for the All Blacks since August 2006, replacing Tom Donnelly.

The 20-year-old Guildford will wear the No.11 jersey vacated by Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is serving out a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle during the All Blacks' 32-19 win over the Wallabies in Tokyo last weekend. The other backline change sees scrum-half Brendon Leonard replace Jimmy Cowan.

Wyatt Crockett also benefits from a ban, stepping in to the void left in the front-row by Tony Woodcock's one match ban for his part in a fight at the end of the Tokyo showdown. In the back-row, Jerome Kaino replaces Adam Thomson on the blindside and Kieran Read reclaims the No.8 jersey from Rodney So'oialo, who is omitted from the 22. On the bench, Otago fullback Ben Smith was named ahead of the injured Tamati Ellison for a potential Test debut, while prop Owen Franks is in for John Afoa.

Wales: James Hook; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (capt)

Replacements: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Bradley Davies, Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Tom James

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford; Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Jason Eaton, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read

Replacements: Cory Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith

Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)

Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (SA), Stuart Terheege (Eng)

Television Match Official: Graham Hughes (Ire)

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