Wales coach Warren Gatland has handed Dan Lydiate the chance for his first Welsh cap with a place on the bench for the visit of Argentina in the Invesco Perpetual Series clash on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm).
Wales face a Pumas side ranked consistently higher in the IRB World rankings in the last 12 months - only in February, March and June did Wales temporarily go ahead before Argentina reclaimed the superior position - and who currently lie one place higher at seventh.
Attendance for the heavyweight clash, which has seen Welsh sides win seven times in 11 attempts, has already surpassed the 50,000 mark as Gatland prepares his men for battle on a brand new Millennium Stadium surface.
Gatland, who has rotated his bench with the aim of giving everyone in his small squad game-time, said
"Dan has impressed in training, we have selected a small squad and he is the only one who has not been involved so far, so we felt it was important for his development that he gets the opportunity to win his first cap and put what he has learnt into practice."
Dan's selection is all the more significant given the severe neck injury he incurred against Perpignan back in 2007.
"Everyone at the Dragons is delighted for Dan," said Dragons Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins. "He has shown remarkable courage, tenacity and good spirit in his recovery from the broken neck and we wish him well for the match on Saturday."
Dragons lock Luke Charteris will also get his third start for Wales of the series.
WALES: James Hook; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (Captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Bradley Davies, Dan Lydiate, Dwayne Peel, Andrew Bishop, Tom James
