Despite only starting a solitary game in the last six months, Gavin Henson has been named in Wales' squad for the autumn Tests against South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The Ospreys centre was sidelined for six months after an ankle injury but was then banned by his club for a further two games for internal disciplinary reasons. He could make his return from suspension on Saturday during Ospreys' EDF Energy Cup tie against Worcester.
"Gavin was outstanding for us during the Six Nations last year," said Wales coach Warren Gatland. "He is one of our world-class players, and when fit, he is always going to be in our thoughts."
Henson will slot into the 32-man squad alongside five previously uncapped players, including Sale Sharks prop Eifion Roberts, Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar, Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts and Cardiff Blues pair Andy Powell and wing Leigh Halfpenny.
Gatland defended both the inexperience and size of his squad, saying both were needed to deal with the congested nature of Wales' autumn calendar. "This squad is larger than I would normally select, and we may reduce it after we get the first two games under our belts," he said. "But the current size reflects the fact that we could be asking some players to turn out three times in the space of 13 days.
"The Ospreys players, for example, are currently due to play for their region on the Sunday before the South Africa game, and with the Canada match coming only six days later, we will need to use our squad correctly."
Wales squad for the autumn Tests against South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia:
Backs: M Stoddart (Scarlets), L Byrne (Ospreys), L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), M Jones (Scarlets), S Williams (Ospreys), G Henson (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), A Bishop (Ospreys), G Roberts (Cardiff Blues), D Biggar (Ospreys), J Hook (Ospreys), S Jones (Scarlets), M Roberts (Scarlets), D Peel (Sale Sharks), G Cooper (Gloucester).
Forwards: G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), E Roberts (Sale Sharks), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), H Bennett (Ospreys), M Rees (Scarlets), R Hibbard (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), D Jones (Scarlets), A Powell (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, captain).
