The Neath-Swansea lock, a former Wales captain, replaced injured Celtic Warriors second-row Brent Cockbain during last Saturday's 31-21 defeat against world champions England at Twickenham.

Llewellyn, 35, now moves into the starting line-up after Cockbain failed to recover from an ankle sprain.

Departing Wales coach Steve Hansen, paying tribute to Llewellyn, said: "Gareth is one of the senior players in our squad and is expected to be a leader both on and off the field.

"He has done this with increasing success over the last two years, he is someone who has been a great asset to his country and will continue to do so long after chooses to retire, as I believe he will make a very good coach.

"He has looked after himself through the years and has been a valuable source of experience to the youngsters in the squad, as well as making his own contributions through his performances."

Llewellyn, who made his Test debut against New Zealand back in 1989 and has scored five tries for Wales, is not the only change to the team that took the field at Twickenham.

Back-rowJonathan Thomas, who sustained thigh and shoulder injuries has been replaced by Cardiff's Martyn Williams.

Wales captain Colin Charvis switches to blindside flanker to accommodate Williams on the open side.

In the backs Iestyn Harris and Tom Shanklin have been bracketed together at inside centre. Harris withdrew on the morning of the England game because of a knee injury, Shanklin taking his place.

Hansen, commenting on his midfield dilemma, said: "We will make a decision on who will fill the No 12 shirt later in the week. Whoever misses out will be unlucky as they have both been in good form."

On the bench Celtic Warriors lock Robert Sidoli takes Llewellyns place with Leeds back-row Alix Popham filling the gap vacated by Williams.

Saturday's match will be Hansen's final game in charge of Wales before he returns to his native New Zealand to become a member of Wales predecessor turned All Black coach Graham Henry's staff. His two years in charge have left him with a Six Nations record of just two wins from 13 games. But this season both Wales and Italy have beaten Scotland, the only team in the tournament who have lost all four of their matches so far.

Wales: Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors); Rhys Williams (Cardiff), Mark Taylor (Llanelli), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff) or Tom Shanklin (Cardiff), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea); Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Gareth Cooper (Celtic Warriors); Dafydd Jones (Llanelli), Martyn Williams (Cardiff), Colin Charvis, capt (Tarbes ); Michael Owen (Dragons), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea); Gethin Jenkins (Llanelli), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea). Replacements: Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Ben Evans (Cardiff), Robert Sidoli (Celtic Warriors,), Alix Popham (Leeds), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli), Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff) or Tom Shanklin (Cardiff)

AFP - 2004.