Wales name Winnett and Botham to face Australia

Men’s international friendly: Australia v Wales

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Date: Saturday, 13 July Kick off: 10:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Full-back Cameron Winnett and flanker James Botham will replace the injured Josh Hathaway and Aaron Wainwright for the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Head coach Warren Gatland has made two personnel changes and two further position alterations from the side that lost 25-16 in the first Test in Sydney.

Full-back Liam Williams switches to wing, with flanker Taine Plumtree slotting in at number eight.

Botham comes into the back row at blind-side flanker, with Cardiff number eight Mackenzie Martin promoted to the replacements bench.

Williams and loose-head prop Gareth Thomas are fit after limping off last weekend, but tight-head prop Dillon Lewis and lock Ben Carter are still missing.

Ben Thomas retains his starting spot at fly-half with Sam Costelow again the back up on the bench.

Wainwright suffered his hamstring injury in the final minute in Sydney after his outstanding display in his 50th cap and will be ruled out for a few months.

"It is disappointing for him and us, he was outstanding last week," said Gatland.

"One of the things I've been challenging on over recent months is I felt there's another level in him.

"As a player, you'd see really good touches from him, but he might drift in and out of games.

"You've seen in the last couple of games that there's been a real step-up in terms of his performances."

Plumtree's only start at number eight this season was for Wales in a World Cup warm-up game against England at Twickenham in August 2023, while Botham will wear the number six jersey.

"James trained exceptionally well this week," said Gatland.

"It's an opportunity for Taine to have a few more carries as well. He's got genuine pace and we'd like to see the ball in his hands a little bit more."

Wing Hathaway has also been ruled out because of an elbow injury with Williams switching positions and Winnett given the full-back role.

"We know Cam is a good footballer," said Gatland.

"He missed out on selection last week, but come back in and we've been pleased with the way he's prepared.

"He's got great footwork and is good under the high ball. We're looking forward to seeing how he goes."

Gatland is banking on Winnett benefitting from Williams' experience as the British and Irish Lions Test player prepares to win his 92nd Wales cap.

"Having someone with Liam's experience and making sure that communication with Cam and Rio becomes important," said Gatland.

"If I look at last weekend's game the highest amount of turnovers came from the back three so they are aware of making sure they need to be more accurate as a trio.

"Liam is aware he has not had a lot of rugby over the last few years and getting him back into it. Keeping him fit and being able to train every day is important for us.

Gatland gave Gloucester wing Hathaway his first cap last weekend and believes he has a bright future.

"Josh would have learned a lot from his experiences," said Gatland.

"He had some nice touches and a couple of things he is aware he can get better at.

"He is a player that needs more game time. He has genuine pave, excellent in his attacking ability.

"It's a shame he has picked up an injury and was unavailable for selection."

The defeat in Sydney was Wales' eighth international loss on the bounce and they have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup pool-stage opponents Georgia last October.

Wales have also slipped to 11th in the world rankings, their lowest ever position.

Another defeat against Australia would leave Wales one short of their worst Test run, a 10-game sequence from 2002 to 2003 under New Zealander Steve Hansen.

Gatland has a 30% success rate during his second stint as Wales boss, with six wins and 14 defeats in 20 internationals since he took over from Wayne Pivac before the 2023 Six Nations.

Veteran prop James Slipper will captain Australia after newly-appointed skipper Liam Wright was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Charlie Cale makes a first start at number eight with Rob Valetini pushed to blind-side flanker in the lone personnel change made by Joe Schmidt.

Australia: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; James Slipper (capt), Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Charlie Cale.

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch.

Wales: Cameron Winnett; Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Archie Griffin, Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Cory Hill, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins.