Thomas leads Wales from full-back

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Thomas' move from the wing as he wins his 94th cap means no place for Neath-Swansea Ospreys' Lee Byrne, with coach Gareth Jenkins giving Newport-Gwent Dragons' Aled Brew the chance to lose the one-cap-wonder tag from his career record while Chris Czekaj switches to the right wing.

But up front Brent Cockbain's expectations of being fit to play against the country of his birth in his home state of Queensland have been dashed as he failed to recover from the head injury that forced him off in the 29-23 first Test defeat.

Michael Owen continues in the second-row after taking over from Cockbain in the 35th minute at Telstra Stadium while Leicester-bound Davies comes in for Matthew Rees, who has returned home to be with wife Becky for their birth of their first child.

Following his part in Wales' downfall in the dying seconds in Sydney, scrum-half replacement Gareth Cooper sees another former Bath man, Andy Williams, take over as cover for Mike Phillips.

And while Williams hopes to add to his four-cap Test record, three-times capped Cardiff Blues' openside Robin Sowden-Taylor has similar sentiments as he takes the place on the bench vacated by Owen's elevation to the starting line-up.

Jenkins was relieved to find centres Sonny Parker and Jamie Robinson fit for selection after hip injuries, but their partnership means no place in the starting line-up for Gavin Henson, who can expect to again see some action following his return to Test rugby last weekend.

Jenkins said: "There were many positives for us to take out of our performance last week and the players will have renewed self belief on Saturday night."