The Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones will captain Wales for the first time in next week's Six Nations match against Italy in Rome.
Jones leads a team showing 10 changes and one positional switch from the side beaten 21-16 by France in Paris last Friday night. The only players retained are Jones and the full-back Lee Byrne, wing Shane Williams and No8 Andy Powell. Jamie Roberts moves from inside- to outside-centre.
The regular captain, Ryan Jones, is on the bench, along with Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips and Gethin Jenkins. Players rested completely include the prop Adam Jones, lock Ian Gough and flanker Martyn Williams.
The Ospreys centre Gavin Henson is set to make a first Test match start since last season's Grand Slam-clinching victory over France. He replaces Tom Shanklin, with Roberts switching midfield roles.
It is Warren Gatland's third attempt this season to pair Henson and Roberts, after naming the pair to face South Africa and Scotland, only for Henson to pull out with an injury.
Other changes following the defeat by France see starts for the wing Mark Jones, fly-half James Hook, scrum-half Dwayne Peel, hooker Huw Bennett, props John Yapp and Rhys Thomas, lock Luke Charteris and the flankers Jonathan Thomas and Dafydd Jones.
Peel has not started in Wales' last 12 Tests. He could be in Guinness Premiership action for Sale against Newcastle on Sunday.
Hook replaces Stephen Jones, with Peel taking over from Phillips and Bennett preferred to Matthew Rees. The Newport Gwent Dragons forwards Rhys Thomas and Charteris replace Adam Jones and Gough.
Gatland said: "We have made a series of changes. With no disrespect to Italy, if we are to consistently be one of the top four or five teams in the world we need to back the depth in our squad.
"We have made changes, but there are arguments to say we are stronger in certain positions. If I was playing against Italy I would be excited about both the opportunity which presents itself and, looking around me, about the team which has been selected.
"We have come a long way in the last 12 months and achieved a fantastic amount, but the best teams in the world develop depth of experience in their squad and back themselves.
"The choice of Alun-Wyn as captain next week is an example of us doing exactly that and also looking to the future."
Wales team to play Italy, Rome, Saturday, 14 March: L Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); J Hook (Ospreys), D Peel (Sale); J Yapp (Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), L Charteris (Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys, capt), J Thomas (Ospreys), D Jones (Scarlets), A Powell (Blues). Replacements: M Rees (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Blues), B Davies (Blues), R Jones (Ospreys), M Phillips (Ospreys), S Jones (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Blues).
