Rugby Digest : WALES v FIJI: Wales coach Mike Ruddock wants the European champions to go back to basics against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium tonight (7.05) and kickstart their November campaign.
With some of his players returning to club duty for the weekend, Ruddock has made 11 changes to the side humiliated 41-3 by the All Blacks last week.
"We didn't win so we feel we're entitled to have a look at some other players," Ruddock said. "We've also got some players coming back into the squad such as Martyn Williams."
Williams, who missed the All Blacks game following the death of his mother, returns alongside Daffyd Jones and skipper Michael Owen in an experienced backrow Ruddock will expect to prosper at the breakdown.
The frontrow, by contrast, can muster only 10 caps between them and English-born prop Chris Horsman will be making his first start.
Lee Byrne also makes his full debut at fullback after getting his first cap as a replacement against New Zealand for the Six Nations grand slam winners.
WALES: L Byrne; K Morgan, M Watkins, S Parker, S Williams; N Robinson, G Cooper; J Yapp, R Thomas, C Horsman, B Cockbain, L Charteris, D Jones, M Williams, M Owen.
Fiji: N Ligairi; M Luveitasau, E Ruivadra, J Vulakoro, S Bobo; S Bai, M Rauluni (captain); J Bale, S Koto, A Nagi, I Rawaqa, I Domolailai, A Doviverata, S Koyamaibole, A Ratuva.
ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA: Under-fire Australia captain George Gregan escaped the axe for tomorrow's Cook Cup clash with England but high-profile team-mate Wendell Sailor was not so fortunate.
Head coach Eddie Jones has made five changes from last week's 26-16 defeat to France as the Wallabies attempt to end a six-game losing streak, their worst run of results since 1969.
Mat Rogers moves from the wing to outhalf and, with Morgan Turinui and Lote Tuqiri preferred in the centres, Matt Giteau slips to the bench.
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; M Gerrard, L Tuqiri, M Turinui, D Mitchell; M Rogers, G Gregan (capt); M Dunning, B Cannon, A Baxter, N Sharpe, H McMeniman, P Waugh, J Roe, G Smith.Replacements: T Polata-Nau, G Holmes, M Chisholm, S Fava, C Whitaker, M Giteau, W Sailor.
SCOTLAND v ARGENTINA: Argentina coach Marcelo Lofreda has paired the Contepomi brothers Manuel and Felipe at centre for tomorrow's match against Scotland and brought Federico Todeschini in at outhalf.
Leinster captain, Felipe Contepomi, was impressive at number 10 in Argentina's 34-23 home defeat by South Africa last weekend and should add spark to the midfield.
Todeschini scored 20 points for the Pumas in their 25-25 draw with the British and Irish Lions at Cardiff in May.
ARGENTINA: J-M Hernandez; F Aramburu, M Contepomi, F Contepomi, F Leonelli; F Todeschini, A Pichot (capt); R Roncero, M Ledesma, O Hasan, I Fernandez Lobbe, P Bouza, M Durand, M Schusterman, J Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: M Scelzo, E Guinazu, M Carizza, J Manuel Leguizamon, N Fernandez-Miranda, L Borges, B Mario Stortoni.
WALES: Gareth Thomas was yesterday found guilty of taking part in a violent brawl at a nightclub in France and ordered to pay compensation to his victims.
A French court has fined the Wales grand slam captain £1,000 and ordered him to pay compensation totalling £1,900 to two victims.
