WALES v NEW ZEALAND
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: 7 November Kick-off: 1715 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, plus commentary online

Prop Paul James will win his second cap when Wales play New Zealand

Paul James is determined to make the most of his Wales recall when he packs down at tight-head against New Zealand in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Ospreys prop won his only previous cap in 2003 against Romania but has been asked by Wales coach Warren Gatland to fill the problem three spot.

"It was a bit of a shock, but a nice shock," said the 27-year-old.

"I'm very proud, I'm just looking forward to going out there and playing for Wales again."

James comes in for his injured Ospreys team-mate Adam Jones, who impressed at tight-head for the Lions against South Africa in the summer but is still injured from that tour.

With Blues prop John Yapp and Rhys Thomas of the Scarlets also injured, Gatland was short of options and has asked James - normally a specialist loose-head - to switch sides.

James' previous cap came in his regular prop position, while he has started twice at tight-head for his region, at Bristol in December 2005 and at the Liberty Stadium against Gloucester in September 2006.

But he has made other appearances in the position as a replacement and captained the Ospreys on numerous occasions.

"I've stuck with it, worked hard and this time around I've got the nod," James said.

Not many people can say they're going to play against the All Blacks Wales prop Paul James

"Gats [Gatland] has given me the jersey so I'm going to go out there and give it my best and do what I can do.

"I've got a bit of experience there... I'm feeling confident going into the game.

"One of my aims at the beginning of the season was... to try and get back into the Wales set-up and luckily it came my way."

First-choice New Zealand loose-head Tony Woodcock, one of the game's best in his position, misses out in Cardiff due to a one-week ban picked up in last Saturday's win over Australia.

James admits he would have liked to have tested himself against Woodcock, but says that whoever the All Blacks pick - with once-capped Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett the front-runner - they will be no pushover.

The Osprey will slot into a front row made up by British and Irish Lions duo Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins.

"A little bit [disappointed not to face Woodcock], but anybody who's going to put the All Blacks jersey on is going to be a quality player," James added.

"He's [Crockett] quite a tall guy, so he's probably going to try and attack us... he's going to be looking to get out [of the scrum] quick so I've got to counteract that.

"So I've got to concentrate on my own role, getting that right and performing in the jersey again.

"It's been going well in training, the boys have been working hard, we're all working as a unit and it's going good."

Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953, a span of defeats that weighs heavy on them, but appear to be closing the gap and in last year's autumn clash in Cardiff held a narrow half-time lead.

"As a professional player everybody wants to play for their country and against the All Blacks it's even better," James said.

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"Getting capped first for Wales against Romania was big but not many people can say they're going to play against the All Blacks, so I'm looking forward to it and can't wait.

"It would be everything wouldn't it [to win]? It's good playing against someone but to beat them would be a step up.

"The last time we played them the boys worked hard, half-time we were in it, just second half we slipped off a little bit.

"It's probably quite a similar bunch of boys from last time, so they know what to expect.

"We've been working hard on our conditioning and everything, so we're probably a little bit better this year and hopefully we can go that extra mile and get a result."

Wales starting XV v New Zealand: James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts (all Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins (both Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Paul James, Alun-Wyn Jones (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Andy Powell, Martyn Williams (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones (both Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies (all Scarlets), Tom James (Blues).

Wales squad for autumn international series:

Backs: Dan Biggar, James Hook, Shane Williams (Ospreys); Gareth Cooper, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny (Blues); Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, (Scarlets); Dwayne Peel (Sale).

Forwards: Paul James, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues); Matthew Rees, Dafydd Jones (Scarlets); Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (Dragons).

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