Looking to end a 55-year hiatus without a win against the Wallabies in the southern hemisphere, Gatland has his Gallagher Premiership contingent available with Six Nations captain Dafydd Jenkins and Exeter Chiefs teammate Christ Tshiunza welcome additions into a depleted second-row.
The side will continue to be skippered by hooker Dewi Lake who is joined by fellow Osprey Gareth Thomas, whilst Bath prop Archie Griffin earns a first start to complete the front-row.
Scarlets Taine Plumtree is at blind-side flanker with Tommy Reffell returning to the starting XV at open-side flanker. Number eight Aaron Wainwright will win his 50th international cap, whilst Ellis Bevan, who won his first cap against South Africa two weeks ago, continues at scrum half.
His half-back partner against Australia will be Ben Thomas who starts at ten. The 25-year-old Cardiff utility man making his first appearance for Wales since 2021.
Midfield duties are once again held by Mason Grady and Owen Watkin at centre with Saracens Nick Tompkins having to make do with a place on the replacements bench.
The wings then are occupied by debutant Josh Hathaway and Dragons Rio Dyer, while Liam Williams reverts to full-back and is one of only three survivors of the side that triumphed over Australia 40-6 in the World Cup in Lyon last September.
Speaking on his selection Gatland said:
“We’ve had a good week of preparations here in Sydney and are excited to get out on the field on Saturday.
“This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us. Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.
“There’s a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us this weekend.”
Wales starting XV to play Australia
15. Liam Williams, 14. Josh Hathaway, 13. Owen Watkin,12. Mason Grady, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Ben Thomas, 9. Ellis Bevan
1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Dewi Lake (captain), 3. Archie Griffin, 4. Christ Tshiunza, 5. Dafydd Jenkins, 6. Taine Plumtree, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements:
16. Evan Lloyd, 17. Kemsley Mathias,18. Harry O’Connor,19. Corey Hill, 20. James Botham, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Nick Tompkins.
[Lead image: Wales Rugby Union]
