Rhys Priestland will start at flyhalf in Wales' World Cup opener against Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Coach Warren Gatland will field a fairly young backline for the clash in Cardiff, but has decided to deploy a more experienced pack.

Priestland will play alongside Gareth Davies in a new-look halfback pairing, while Scott Williams and Cory Allen team up in midfield. Liam Williams will play at fullback with Alex Cuthbert and Hallam Amos on the wings.

Captain Sam Warburton will feauture at blindside flank with Justin Tipuric named opensider and James King at No 8. The tight five see the inclusion of Luke Charteris and Jake Ball as the locks, while tighthead prop Samson Lee returns to scrum down alongside Ospreys duo Scott Baldwin and Paul James.

Wales – 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton (c), 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.
Subs: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Ross Moriarty, 22 Lloyd Williams, 23 Matthew Morgan.

Photo: Stephane Sakutin/Getty Images