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Rugby Union

Henson and Stoddart to start

20/11/2007

Gavin Henson and Morgan Stoddart have both been named in Wales' starting XV for the Prince William Cup match against South Africa.

Llanelli Scarlets full-back Stoddart, 23, will be making his debut for a new-look national team which features a number of relatively inexperienced players.

Prop Rhys Thomas, lock forward Ian Evans and flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor have only 13 caps between them but are all named as starters in the pack against the world champions.

Centre Henson has been in impressive form for club side Ospreys in recent weeks and has earned a recall from caretaker coach Nigel Davies.

Davies said Henson had been preferred because of his understanding with a number of his team-mates who will be playing alongside him in the Wales side.

"All the fans will notice that Gavin is back," the coach said.

"His partnership with both [fly-half] James Hook and [fellow centre] Sonny Parker at the Ospreys has been going well of late which is the main reason for going with that combination."

Davies also said he has had his hand forced in the backs, with injuries to Lee Byrne and Jamie Robinson ruling them out.

"But the result is a pretty exciting new look backline which I'm sure can make South Africa stand up and take notice," he added.

Scrum-half Dwayne Peel is the most experienced member of the team and will earn his 59th cap at the weekend.

Fellow Scarlets star Stephen Jones is named on the bench and prop Gethin Jenkins will captain the side.

Full Wales XV to face South Africa:

Morgan Stoddart, Mark Jones, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin James Hook, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins (captain), Huw Bennett, Rhys Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Colin Charvis, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jonathan Thomas.

Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Luke Charteris, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom James.