Wales have dropped flanker Colin Charvis for Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash against the title favourites, France, in Cardiff.
The 84-times-capped Newcastle forward makes way in a restructured backrow that sees skipper Michael Owen switched to replace Charvis at blindside flanker and Llanelli Scarlets' Alix Popham wearing the number eight shirt.
Two other changes from the side held by Italy last weekend are enforced by injuries. Wing Mark Jones, who underwent minor knee surgery yesterday, has seen his place filled by Dafydd James, and scrumhalf Michael Phillips takes over from shoulder-injury victim Dwayne Peel.
Bath's Andy Williams will provide scrumhalf cover for Phillips on the bench, while Dafydd Jones is called up following Popham's promotion.
Gavin Henson, meanwhile, remains among the substitutes as Wales look to end their miserable Six Nations campaign on a winning note.
Caretaker coach Scott Johnson insists Charvis has been "rested" but it seems inconceivable the player would have been omitted from such a key match had he performed anywhere near his best in recent weeks.
Form though, is not a problem for Popham, whose all-action display for Llanelli in their Powergen Cup semi-final victory over Bath a fortnight ago gained him rave reviews.
"Colin Charvis is an experienced player who offers a lot to this squad, and we want to make sure we keep him around us this week, on Saturday and beyond," said Johnson, who will take charge of Wales for the final time if he accepts an offer to join Australia's new-look national coaching team.
"But he has played a lot of rugby this season - the best part of 20-odd games already - missing just one match for Newcastle in the Premiership and featuring for us at international level throughout the campaign so far and in the Autumn.
"We are resting him, but he will remain part of the squad and we want him around to help lift the players. Alix deserves his chance to start, and we have gone for Dafydd (Jones) on the bench for the energy and impact he will be able to offer."
Wales must avoid defeat to be certain of avoiding the wooden spoon just a year after being crowned Grand Slam champions. But even if they lose, Italy must still beat Scotland in Rome on Saturday to move off the bottom.
"Nothing has changed in our approach," added Johnson. "We need to go out there and do what we do best, better than we have been doing it. We have one of the best teams in world rugby coming to our shores. They have some great players, and we have a huge regard for French rugby and their style of play. They will be formidable opponents, and with the championship at stake, they will be making sure they go home with a victory."
France have kept faith with a majority of the side that thrashed England last week by making just one change to the starting line-up for Saturday's game.
Flanker Julien Bonnaire has been called into the team in place of Olivier Magne, who drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, Scotland coach Frank Hadden has made three changes to his line-up for their championship finale against Italy in Rome.
Chris Cusiter and Gordon Ross have been drafted in for their first Six Nations starts of the season while hooker Scott Lawson is back in the team after featuring in the game against Wales.
They replace Mike Blair, Dan Parks and Dougie Hall respectively, who have dropped to the replacements bench following last week's 15-9 defeat to Ireland.
Scott Murray will win a record-equalling 75th cap against the Italians, drawing level with Gordon Bulloch.
Hadden said: "Given where we are at in this season's championship I feel it appropriate to look at the squad and both Chris and Gordon deserve the opportunity to start."
WALES: (v France) L Byrne; D James, H Luscombe, M Watkins, S Williams; S Jones, M Phillips; Duncan Jones, R Thomas, A Jones; I Gough, R Sidoli; M Owen (capt), M Williams, A Popham. Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, J Thomas, Dafydd Jones, A Williams, N Robinson, G Henson.
FRANCE: (v Wales) T Castaignede; A Rougerie, F Fritz, D Traille, C Dominici; F Michalak, D Yachvili; S Marconnet, R Ibanez, P de Villiers; F Pelous (capt), J Thion; Y Nyanga, J Bonnaire, T Lievremont.Replacements: D Szarzewski, O Milloud, L Nallet, O Magne, J-B Elissalde, L Valbon, C Heymans.
SCOTLAND: (v Italy) H Southwell; C Paterson, M di Rollo, A Henderson, S Lamont; G Ross, C Cusiter; G Kerr, S Lawson, B Douglas; N Hines, S Murray; J White (capt), A Hogg, S Taylor. Replacements: D Hall, C Smith, A Kellock, J Petrie, M Blair, D Parks, S Webster.
