Henson and Shanklin reunited for Wales

Gareth Jenkins has reunited Wales' Grand Slam centre partnership of Gavin Henson and Tom Shanklin for Saturday's opening autumn international against Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

Shanklin returns to the international arena after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury which forced an early return from the 2005 Lions tour.

Henson, who has been playing at fly-half for the Ospreys, underwent groin surgery last season and also returns to the Wales starting line-up for the first time since the 2005 Six Nations triumph.

So too does Ospreys number eight Ryan Jones, who is back near his best after undergoing shoulder surgery following the 2005 Lions tour.

Kevin Morgan, who suffered a foot injury last November and missed the 2006 Six Nations, returns at full-back with former captain Gareth Thomas and Shane Williams on the wings.

Jenkins, preparing for his first home Test in charge of Wales, said: "We are blessed with an extremely strong squad in most positions and have had some tough decisions to make, but have selected on form and form alone.

"This squad of 30 or so players is the strongest that Wales have been able to boast for some time, but we are at the beginning of a process as a management group and this is our first chance to get it right."

Wales team in full:
15-Kevin Morgan; 14-Gareth Thomas, 13-Tom Shanklin, 12-Gavin Henson, 11-Shane Williams; 10-Stephen Jones (C), 9-Dwayne Peel; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Matthew Rees, 3-Adam Jones, 4-Ian Gough, 5-Ian Evans, 6-Jonathan Thomas, 7-Martyn Williams, 8-Ryan Jones Replacements: Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Chris Horsman, Alun Wyn Jones, Michael Phillips, James Hook, Mark Jones.