The North Wales fixture – sandwiched between the Tests against England and Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in the space of just eight days – provides the chance for several fringe players to stake a final claim to a place on the flight Down Under.
Included in the starting line-up behind the scrum are Gwent Dragons wing Nathan Brew and Llanelli Scarlets scrum half Michael Phillips while up front Neath-Swansea Ospreys prop Paul James and Celtic Warriors lock Brent Cockbain are selected for their Test debuts.
Named on the bench are Dragons hooker Paul Young, Ospreys back row forward James Bater, Warriors centre Jonathan Bryant and Ospreys scrum half Andrew Williams.
The team, prepared by Steve Hansen and Scott Johnson in conjunction with coaches Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths and managed by Ian Stephens, will travel to Wrexham on Tuesday and be captained by Mefin Davies, the Celtic Warriors hooker and former Pontypridd skipper.
Davies, who has won 10 caps and captained Wales A in their last six fixtures, becomes the 121st player to captain the national side in a full Test.
Meanwhlie, Neath-Swansea Ospreys wing Shane Williams earns his 11th cap after two years’ absence from the Wales team.
Hansen said, ‘This is a good opportunity for these guys to go out and show what they’re made of.
‘I’ve told them they’re just as eligible to make the World Cup team as anyone else in the squad.’
Wales team to play Romania: Gavin Henson (Neath-Swansea Ospreys); Nathan Brew (Gwent Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Andy Marinos (Gwent Dragons), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys); Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Mike Phillips (Llanelli Scarlets); Paul James (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors, captain), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues), Ian Gough (Gwent Dragons), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors), Jonathan Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gavin Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Alix Popham (Leeds Tykes).
Replacements: Paul Young (Gwent Dragons), Chris Anthony (Gwent Dragons), Deiniol Jones (Celtic Warriors), James Bater (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gareth Wyatt (Celtic Warriors), Jonathan Bryant (Celtic Warriors), Andy Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).
