Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson will make his first Wales start in next Saturday's Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
The 21-year-old, capped twice as a replacement on Wales's summer tour of Japan, partners Allan Bateman, 15 years his senior, in midfield.
Bateman has been named as inside centre, filling that slot instead of the outside centre berth he would normally occupy, to accommodate Robinson.
It is understood that Gareth Thomas would have been one of coach Graham Henry's centre selections, but he misses out after suffering a cheekbone injury during Bridgend's Heineken Cup defeat against Castres on Saturday.
Henry today announced six changes - three positional - from the side that posted a record 81-9 victory over Romania last month.
Robinson replaces Llanelli's Stephen Jones, who moves to fly-half instead of Gavin Henson. There is a recall on the left wing for Neath flier Shane Williams, and flanker Brett Sinkinson packs down alongside Swansea back-row pair Colin Charvis and Geraint Lewis.
Lewis wears the number eight jersey with Scott Quinnell still sidelined through injury, and Sinkinson regains a starting place he was denied for 18 months because of the "Grannygate" scandal over Welsh qualifications.
New Zealand-born Sinkinson is now eligible on residency grounds.
Team- K Morgan (Swansea); D James (Bridgend), J Robinson (Cardiff), A Bateman (Neath), S Williams (Neath); S Jones (Llanelli), R Howley (Cardiff); I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Young (Cardiff, capt), C Wyatt (Llanelli), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), B Sinkinson (Neath), G Lewis (Swansea).
Replacements- B Williams (Neath), C Anthony (Newport), C Quinnell (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bath), G Cooper (Bath) or D Peel (Llanelli), G Henson (Swansea), R Williams (Cardiff).
PA