Josh Adams and Aaron Wainwright return from injury for Wales

Wing Josh Adams and number eight Aaron Wainwright have recovered from injuries and will start Wales' Autumn Nations Series finale against Australia on Saturday.

Adams was withdrawn just before kick-off when Wales faced Fiji last Sunday due to a calf muscle issue, while Wainwright missed that game because of a shoulder problem.

Elsewhere, prop Tomas Francis has successfully completed concussion return-to-play protocols and is recalled, and Seb Davies takes over from lock Will Rowlands, who suffered a head knock against Fiji.

Other starters include centre Uilisi Halaholo – his first start of the autumn – with Halaholo, who tested positive for coronavirus last month and spent 10 days isolating, partnering Nick Tompkins in midfield.

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Scarlets’ 93 times-capped centre Jonathan Davies does not feature, with flanker Ellis Jenkins continuing as captain at the Principality Stadium.

Jenkins is joined in the backrow by Wainwright and Taine Basham, and there is a recall for British and Irish Lions prop Wyn Jones, who packs down alongside Ryan Elias and Francis.

Elias, Basham and lock Adam Beard, meanwhile, are the only three players selected to start all of Wales’ autumn games against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia.

Wales are seeking a third successive victory over Australia, which includes a pool stage win at the 2019 World Cup, following a run of 13 defeats against the Wallabies.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “It has been a tough campaign, but one where we have exposed more players to this level of rugby, which all bodes well for the future.

“With the injuries we’ve faced, we have had to adapt, and those are opportunities that some of the players have taken very well.

“Australia have been on the road for a while now – the series they had down south, and a couple of losses in the last couple of games.

“They will be hurting from that and they will want to finish their tour on a high note, as we would like to finish our campaign on a high note. It bodes well for a pretty interesting fixture.

“Dave Rennie [Australia head coach] brings a physical approach to the game, and we certainly expect that from the Australians, but we have to be able to match that and impose ourselves on the game.”

Rennie has made four changes while James Slipper, who takes over the captaincy from an injured Michael Hooper, reverts to the loosehead prop position after starting at tighthead against England last weekend.

Pete Samu takes Hooper’s role at openside flanker, with hooker Tolu Latu, prop Taniela Tupou and wing Filipo Daugunu all recalled.

Australia are striving to avoid a third successive defeat of the autumn campaign following losses to Scotland and England.

And they have also lost their last two encounters against Wales, including a pool stage defeat at the 2019 World Cup.

Assessing the challenge, Rennie said: “They [Wales] have got genuine on-ball presence, a pretty strong backline and an excellent back three. It is a good side.

“We’ve got a good team for our last game here in the UK, and we are keen to give it a good crack.

“They [Wales] have had a couple of losses, and found their way past Fiji on the weekend.

“We are pretty desperate as well. We haven’t performed as well as we have needed to in the previous two Tests, and we are keen to make up for it.”

WALES (v Australia): Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Seb Davies; Ellis Jenkins (capt), Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Christ Tshiunza, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Johnny McNicholl.

AUSTRALIA: Kurtley Beale; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; James O'Connor, Nic White; James Slipper (capt), Tolu Latu, Taniela Tupou; Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda; Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini.

Replacements: 16-Folau Fainga'a, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Allan Alaalatoa, 19-Will Skelton, 20-Lachlan Swinton, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Lalakai Foketi, 23-Tom Wright.