Williams savours Murrayfield test Pick your Wales XV

Kevin Morgan's switch to full-back in place of broken-thumb victim Gareth Thomas left the right-wing berth open.

Hooker Mefin Davies has overcome his thumb injury to start, whilst Scarlets scrum-half Mike Phillips replaces Gareth Cooper (ankle) on the bench.

Michael Owen starts as skipper for the first time in place of Thomas.

Hooker had been Wales' major worry in the build up after Davies suffered a break to the tip of his thumb in the win in Paris a fortnight ago.

Rhys Williams has been rewarded for his second-half performance against France Wales coach Mike Ruddock More pre-match Ruddock quotes

Back-up Robin McBryde (knee) and squad hooker Steve Jones (hamstring) were also injury worries, but McBryde is able to take up his spot on the bench.

Cooper, a replacement for Dwayne Peel in Wales' three Six Nations wins this season, was injured in the IRB Rugby Aid game at Twickenham on Saturday and is also a doubt for next week's game with Ireland.

Skipper Gareth Thomas is already out of the campaign after breaking his thumb, while flanker Colin Charvis (ankle) and centre Sonny Parker (neck) are almost certainly out for Ireland as well as Scotland.

"It is a boost to once again be able to display continuity and consistency in selection," said Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

"Mefin Davies has proved his fitness in taking a full part in a couple of tough training sessions and our medical staff have confirmed his fitness.

It's the team I would have chosen, plenty of pace in the back three From WB Have your say on Scrum V

"It was obviously a huge loss to us when we realised Gareth Thomas would take no further part in this Championship, but it must be said that Kevin Morgan did superbly well at full-back when we lost our captain at half-time against France.

"Rhys Williams has also been rewarded for his second-half performance against France with a place in the starting line-up.

"Hal Luscombe, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, will provide cover for the back three and centre from the bench and it is good to know he is there if we need him.

"Michael Owen has made a confident and assertive start to the week as captain and we have every faith in his leadership abilities."

Wales: K Morgan (Dragons); R Williams (Blues), T Shanklin (Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Clermont-Auvergne), D Peel (Scarlets); G Jenkins (Blues), M Davies (Gloucester), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), R Sidoli (Blues), R Jones (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues), M Owen (Dragons, capt).
Replacements: R McBryde (Scarlets), J Yapp (Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys), R Sowden-Taylor (Blues), M Phillips (Scarlets), C Sweeney (Dragons), H Luscombe (Dragons).