UPDATE 1-Rugby-Wing Adams fit to face Australia in autumn series finale

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CARDIFF, Nov 18 (Reuters) – Josh Adams will start on the wing for Wales after recovering from a calf problem, while Uilisi Halaholo fills in at outside centre for their autumn international series fixture against Australia at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Adams pulled out of last weekend’s 38-23 victory over Fiji after feeling his calf in the warm-up. He had been set to start at outside centre, but was replaced by Nick Tompkins, who moves into the number 12 jersey for the visit of the Wallabies.

Liam Williams retains his place at fullback, while Louis Rees-Zammit switches wings to accommodate the return of Adams. Dan Biggar and Tomos Williams make up the halfback pairing.

It is all change in the front row with hooker Ryan Elias the only player who featured against Fiji. He will scrum with props Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis either side of him.

Seb Davies gets a first start of the campaign as he partners Adam Beard at lock, with captain Ellis Jenkins and Taine Basham on the flank and Aaron Wainwright back at number eight.

Wales have a number of regular starters sidelined, including forwards Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty.

“It’s been a tough campaign but one where we’ve exposed more players to this level of rugby, which all bodes well for the future,” coach Wayne Pivac said in a Welsh Rugby media release.

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

“Coach Dave Rennie 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.”

The fixture is the final one of the autumn series for Wales, who also suffered defeats to New Zealand (54-16) and South Africa (23-18).

Team: 15-Liam Williams, 14-Louis Rees-Zammit, 13-Nick Tompkins, 12-Uilisi Halaholo, 11-Josh Adams, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Tomos Williams, 8-Aaron Wainwright, 7-Taine Basham, 6-Ellis Jenkins (captain), 5-Seb Davies, 4-Adam Beard, 3-Tomas Francis, 2-Ryan Elias, 1-Wyn Jones

Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, 17-Gareth Thomas, 18-Dillon Lewis, 19-Ben Carter, 20-Christ Tshiunza, 21-Gareth Davies, 22-Rhys Priestland, 23-Johnny McNicholl. (Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Shrivathsa Sridhar)

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