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Duo return for Wales to face Australia

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Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams have recovered from injury in time to face Australia as Wales head coach Warren Gatland rings the changes ahead of their final autumn international.

Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams have recovered from injury in time to face Australia as Wales head coach Warren Gatland rings the changes ahead of their final autumn international.

Winger Cuthbert has not played for Wales since scoring two tries against England in the RBS 6 Nations decider but has recovered ahead of schedule from an ankle injury.

Williams, meanwhile, has recovered from a toe injury to be named in the midfield alongside Cardiff Blues centre Owen Williams, who scored on his first outing at the Millennium Stadium last Friday.

Cuthbert, who has scored nine tries in his 18 appearances for Wales, will line-up in an experienced back-three with George North and Leigh Halfpenny – who was yesterday named on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award shortlist.

At half back, Dan Biggar and Mike Phillips line up while Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard and Rhodri Jones form the front row.

British & Irish Lions duo Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones, who started all five of Wales’ 2013 RBS 6 Nations games together, renew their partnership in the second-row.

And the back-row will line up with Dan Lydiate at blindside, alongside captain Sam Warburton at openside and Toby Faletau at No.8.

“It’s great to have Alex and Scott available and they bring a lot of experience into the backline,” said Gatland.

“Alex and the medical teams have worked really hard to ensure he is ready for this weekend and it’s great to be able to bring him back into the side.

“We thought Owen (Williams) performed well in the centre against Tonga and he gets another opportunity on Saturday.

“There is a lot of experience in the pack for what is going to be a very physical game.

“We are looking to finish the series off well, the last three games against Australia have gone right down to the wire and I don’t expect anything different this weekend.”