Rugby:Teenage wing George North will make his Wales debut in Saturday's clash against world champions South Africa at the Millennium Stadium. The 18-year-old Scarlets prospect replaces Will Harries as one of three changes following last weekend's 25-16 loss to Australia.
Gatland made four changes to the side beaten by Australia last weekend, one positional, but kept faith with the forwards with the exception of Martyn Williams who returns in place of the injured Sam Warburton.
Byrne returns at full-back after recovering from his broken hand and James Hook switches to inside centre but it was the inclusion of uncapped Scarlets wing North in place of Will Harries that was most intriguing.
"We know this is a bold selection but we have always tried to look at the bigger picture and George, today, is the bigger picture and at 6ft 4 inches and 16 stone 7lbs he gives us quite a canvass to work with," Gatland said. "There is no pressure on him, he just needs to go out and enjoy the experience of winning his first cap."
There are two notable forward additions to the replacements’ bench in fit-again Ryan Jones, who will cover the second-row positions, and Wasps number eight Andy Powell.
Powell has not played for Wales since the infamous golf buggy episode last season saw him kicked out of the Wales squad. He was recalled to tour New Zealand in the summer, but injury ruled him out.
North’s selection is the headline act though, coming just seven months after Gatland capped another teenage wing in the Ospreys’ Tom Prydie.
Wales:L Byrne; G North, T Shanklin, J Hook, S Williams; S Jones, M Phillips; G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones: B Davies, A-W Jones; D Lydiate, M Williams, J Thomas. Replacements:H Bennett, P James, R Jones, A Powell, R Rees, A Bishop, C Czekaj.
Australia:K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Robinson, S Moore, B Alexander, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, B McCalman. Replacements:H Edmonds, J Slipper, D Mumm, R Brown, L Burgess, B Barnes, L Turner.