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Mefin Davies' back injury means that Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees will win his first Wales cap in Saturday's Test with the USA in Hartford, Connecticut.

Nicky Robinson is in at fly-half, with Dragons number 10 Ceri Sweeney at 12 in place of Lions tourist Gavin Henson.

Four uncapped players are on the bench, flanker Richie Pugh, prop Ben Broster, hooker Rhys Thomas and back Tal Selley.

The team is captained by centre Mark Taylor, who will become the 15th Wales player to reach the 50-cap milestone.

Wales need a ball player in the centre and Ceri's kicking at 12 gives the side an extra dimension. Wales captain Mark Taylor Pictures of Wales in the USA

Henson has been a big success at inside centre since taking over from Iestyn Harris in a position seen as crucial to the Wales style of play, but Taylor is confident that Sweeney can fill his boots.

"Playing 12 suits Ceri, maybe more than at 10," said Taylor. "He sees the game well there and Wales like having a ball player in the role."

Taylor starts outside Sweeney in the absence of Tom Shanklin (Lions) and Sonny Parker (injured), and says he is happy to cede play-making decisions to the Dragons back.

"Ceri knows the system inside out and will call a lot of the plays," said Taylor.

"Wales need a ball player in the centre and Ceri's kicking at 12 gives the side an extra dimension.

"I'm happy to be there pulling the levers as captain, it's not much of an extra burden.

"Everyone was a leader in the Six Nations, and there haven't been a lot of changes to the pack that won the Grand Slam.

"There are a few more youngsters coming in behind, but it's just a case of blending them in."

Wales: Kevin Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Mark Taylor (Sale Sharks, capt), Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Craig Morgan (Cardiff Blues); Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues); Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Colin Charvis (Newcastle Falcons, vice-captain), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).
Replacements: Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Ben Broster (Saracens), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Richie Pugh (Ospreys), Andrew Williams (Bath Rugby), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Tal Selley (Llanelli Scarlets).

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)