Wales v Georgia: Seb Davies at number eight as Gatland makes 14 changes

Cardiff Blues second row Seb Davies will start at number eight in a Wales team showing 14 changes for Saturday's Test against Georgia.

Davies, 21, has made two appearances for Wales at lock and has not played at number eight for the Blues.

Liam Williams is the only survivor from the 29-21 loss to Australia, and he switches from wing to full-back.

Georgia have named an unchanged starting XV with fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili back on the bench.

Flanker Dan Lydiate will captain Wales in a back row which also includes Olympic silver-medallist Sam Cross.

The Ospreys flanker is one of four players making his first start in an international along with prop Leon Brown, second row Adam Beard and centre Owen Watkin.

Sevens specialist Cross had played only two professional matches for Ospreys before making his international debut as a replacement against Australia.

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Rhys Webb returns at scrum-half after injury and partners Bath's Rhys Priestland who makes his first Wales appearance since the second Test against New Zealand in the summer of 2016.

Ospreys' Owen Watkin takes over the number 12 shirt alongside the experienced Scott Williams, with Owen Williams on the bench after impressing against the Wallabies.

Dragons hooker Elliott Dee is the only uncapped player in the match-day 23.

"I think there is a nice balance to this team," head coach Warren Gatland said.

"We felt this week was really important to give a number of the squad as much exposure as possible to test match rugby.

"It is an exciting opportunity for some of the younger guys to take the field and show us what they are capable of.

"We have got a fair amount of experience to throw into the mix too, both with players who have got a decent number of cap numbers but also players who have been around this environment for a good while too.

"There was a thought about continuity, but we feel this is the right time to give some of the players a chance.

"There is some experience as well as youth, which will hopefully make the transition smoother.

"Georgia are coming to Cardiff on the back of a good victory last weekend and they will be looking to show what they can do on this stage and we have to be ready for that."

On the selection of Davies, Gatland commented: "He's athletic, he's working hard on his lineout skills.

"It gives us another option as we look to develop more depth. He's still learning his roles, making sure he's accurate in training. Given that position is so attritional in terms of injuries, the more depth we can develop hopefully covers us."

Flanker Justin Tipuric and tight-head prop Samson Lee have not appeared in the match squads so far this autumn after picking up injuries.

Gatland said Tipuric was making good progress, but added full-back Leigh Halfpenny and wing Steff Evans were not considered for selection after picking up knocks against Australia.

Georgia coach Milton Haig's side includes full-back Soso Matiashvili, who scored a spectacular try in their 54-22 home win over Canada last weekend.

Georgia coach Milton Haig says this match is opportunity for Georgia to press their claim for inclusion in the Six Nations.

Kvirikashvili is a 106-cap veteran who will be back up for starting stand-off Khmaladze as 20-year-old Giorgi Kveseladze drops out.

Wales: L Williams, Cuthbert, S Williams, Watkin, Amos; Priestland; Webb; Smith, Dacey, Brown, Beard, Hill, Lydiate, Cross, Davies.

Replacements: Dee, Wyn Jones, Francis, Navidi, Faletau, A Davies, Biggar, O Williams.

Georgia: Matiashvili, Koshadze, Katcharava, Merab Sharikadze, Modebadze; Khmaladze, Lobzhanidze; Nariashvili, Bregvadze, Chilachava, Mikautadze, Nemsadze, Lomidze, Kolelishvili, Bitzadze.

Replacements: Mamukashvili, Asieshvili, Bekoshvili, Chkhaidze, Tkhilaishvili, Begadze, Jintchvelashvili, Kvirikashvili.