Wales v Fiji: Mike Phillips back as Wales make eight changes

Scarlets centre Scott Williams (left) returns to the Wales midfield to face Fiji

Mike Phillips and Rhys Priestland return as Wales half-backs to face Fiji in Cardiff on Saturday.

Scrum-half Phillips takes over from neck-injury victim Rhys Webb while Dan Biggar's groin strain gives Priestland his chance amid eight changes after the 33-28 defeat by Australia.

Recalled James Hook is on the bench and Scott Williams is back from injury at centre, but Jonathan Davies is absent.

Liam Williams switches to full-back and Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) is out.

Gatland said Webb would have started against the South Sea Islanders but was ruled out with a neck injury.

Scarlets centre Scott Williams returns alongside Jamie Roberts in midfield with George North back on the wing.

"Jonathan Davies is still not 100% right," said coach Warren Gatland of the Clermont Auvergne player's shoulder problem.

Up front Gethin Jenkins replaces Paul James to lead Wales for the sixth time as he extends his national team appearance record to 109.

The Cardiff Blues prop said: "I'm determined to make the most of the game. The boys have a big chance."

Regular captain Sam Warburton makes way for Osprey Justin Tipuric's recall at open-side.

Wasps lock Bradley Davies comes in along with Luke Charteris in the second row.

Charteris was not available against the Wallabies after a deal between the Welsh Rugby Union and his French club, Racing Metro.

Instead Charteris, a star of Wales' 2011 World Cup campaign, is free to face South Africa on 29 November, a date that falls outside the International Rugby Board's autumn Tests window.

Ospreys hooker Scott Baldwin makes his first Wales start.

Scarlets hooker Emyr Phillips, uncapped Ospreys prop Nicky Smith, versatile Ospreys forward James King and Scarlets scrum-half Rhodri Williams come on to the bench along with Hook.

Gatland added: "We have made some changes, some have been enforced due to injury but we don't feel it weakens the side.

"There's still a lot of experience and firepower in that team. We feel that we're good enough to win and hopefully win well on Saturday."

WALES TEAM V FIJI

Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (unattached), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Replacements: Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).

WALES SQUAD

Forwards:

Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (unattached), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).

Backs:

Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).