Wales have handed a debut to Cardiff wing Craig Morgan for the opening match of the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is the only new cap in a Wales side showing seven changes from the team beaten 21-13 by world champions Australia last November.

Gareth Thomas makes way for Morgan on the left-wing, with British Lion Dafydd James coming in on the right and the other five changes are in the pack.

In the second row Craig Quinnell and Chris Wyatt take over from Ian Gough and Andy Moore, with Chris Anthony replacing Darren Morris at tight-head prop and Nathan Budgett packing down on the flank in place of Colin Charvis.

Martyn Williams is the other change, coming back from injury to replace Brett Sinkinson at open side flanker.

But the significant face in the side is Morgan who Wales coach Graham Henry has looked to pick before.

"Craig has been on the fringe for some time but every time we thought about playing him he seemed to get injured," said Henry.

"I have admired Craig's talents for some time and now that he has had a run of games he is ready to step up a level.

"To open a championship in Dublin is a tough call. The Irish game has moved on and is now as refined as any in the Six Nations.

"However, our selection proves we are travelling in a positive mood. We feel the team have the ingredients - footballing skills, pace and ball winning capacity - to compete with anyone.

"We have had some extra time together in preparation and that should certainly help mould those elements into a team."

New cap Morgan said he hoped a tough time on the sidelines was behind him.

"I am obviously delighted to have been selected having overcome a frustrating period with injury," said Morgan.

"My confidence is back and all I can hope for is to be able to contribute fully to a team's success in Dublin."

The match against the Irish, which Wales have won for the last two seasons, will be a landmark for Rob Howley who will become Wales' most capped scrum-half, making his 55th appearance, one more than Robert Jones.

Scott Quinnell will be captaining Wales in the championship for the first time having taken over from David Young.

Wales team to play Ireland in the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship at Lansdowne Road on Sunday February 3.

K Morgan (Swansea); D James (Bridgend), J Robinson (Cardiff), I Harris (Cardiff), C Morgan (Cardiff); S Jones (Llanelli), R Howley (Cardiff); S John (Cardiff), R McBryde (Llanelli), C Anthony (Newport), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Wyatt (Llanelli), N Budgett (Bridgend), M Williams (Cardiff), S Quinnell (Llanelli, capt)

Replacements: B Williams (Neath), D Jones (Neath), I Gough (Newport), B Sinkinson (Neath), D Peel (Llanelli), A Marinos (Newport), R Williams (Cardiff).

Wales A team to play Ireland A in Cork on Saturday February 2, kick-off 2pm:

A Durston (Bridgend); G Wyatt (Pontypridd), T Shanklin (Saracens), G Thomas (Bridgend), S Williams (Neath); L Jarvis (Neath), G Cooper (Bath); I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), M Davies (Pontypridd, capt), A Millward (Neath), M Voyle (Newport), G Llewellyn (Neath), A Popham (Newport), G Thomas (Bath), G Lewis (Swansea)

Replacements: G Williams (Bridgend), M Madden (Llanelli), D Jones (Bridgend), N Thomas (Bath), A Moore (Neath), C Warlow (Bridgend), MJ Watkins (Newport)