Colin earns his place in the side on sheer ability alone

Wales coach Steve Hansen

Barry Williams replaces Robin McBryde at hooker

The 29-year-old has had to work his way back from the replacements' bench and showed his mettle in a a spirited second-half appearance in the loss to England at Twickenham a fortnight ago.

"Colin earns his place in the side on sheer ability alone," Hansen said. "He's a top player: one of the few world-class players we have.

"He's an intelligent man and I think he's ready to take a step up and be excited by the fact he's captain.

"There's qualities in him that we need to draw out and over a period of time working with him we'll see those qualities come out."

Other changes from the match against England see the return of Rhys Williams, Barry Williams and Ian Gough, with fly-half Stephen Jones also likely to start if he is passed fit.

Cardiff's Rhys Williams is preferred to Bridgend's Dafydd James on the right wing, who drops to the bench, while Taylor replaces Gareth Thomas, who does not even get a place on the bench.

Colin Charvis will line up at No 8 for Wales

In the forwards, Neath hooker Barry Williams is preferred to Llanelli's Robin McBryde, who has suffered all season with his throwing at the line-out, while Gough, who missed the England match through injury, returns at lock in place of Chris Wyatt.

Llanelli goal-kicker Jones has recovered from the back injury which caused him to miss the England match, but faces a late fitness check after taking a knock on his knee.

Iestyn Harris, who took over Jones' kicking duties and No 10 shirt at Twickenham, will continue in the pivot role if Jones fails to make it on time.

Wales: K Morgan (Swansea); R Williams (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), A Marinos (Newport), C Morgan (Cardiff); S Jones (Llanell) or I Harris (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff); I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), B Williams (Neath), C Anthony, I Gough (Newport), A Moore (Swansea), N Budgett (Bridgend), M Williams (Cardiff), C Charvis (Swansea, capt).
Reps: S John (Cardiff), R McBryde, C Wyatt (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bath), D Peel (Llanelli), S Jones (Llanelli) or I Harris (Cardiff), D James (Bridgend).