Scarlets duo Samson Lee and Liam Williams will both start for Wales in their World Cup opener against Uruguay.
Williams has recovered from foot surgery to take his place at full-back, while Lee will start at tighthead for the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon in March.
“It is great to have Liam and Samson back in the starting line-up,” Warren Gatland told the BBC.
“They have trained incredibly hard and Sunday is a great opportunity for them.”
Wales team to face @RugbyUruguay @rugbyworldcup has been announced! #iamwales pic.twitter.com/iSkrn6P4D7 — Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) September 18, 2015
Elsewhere, captain Sam Warburton moves to blind-side to accomodate the in-form Justin Tipuric at open-side, with Osprey James King completing the back-row in the place of Taulupe Faletau.
The Dragons No. 8 has been rested alongside Jamie Roberts, Alun Wyn Jones, George North and Dan Biggar ahead of the match against England on 26 September.
In Biggar’s place comes Bath-bound fly-half Rhys Priestland, who will partner his former Scarlets colleague Gareth Davies at half-back.
Hallam Amos and Cory Allen have been given chances to stake a starting spot as they line up in a backline balanced with experience and youth.
“It’s a great opportunity for all the players and it’s an exciting time ahead,” said Gatland.
“Playing in a World Cup, in your home country, at your home ground is a great honour and I’m sure the players will take that into the game.
“Uruguay will be looking to show what they are capable of and we know we need to be clinical on Sunday.”
Wales team to face Uruguay
Backs: Liam Williams (Scarlets); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues); Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Davies (Scarlets);
Forwards: Paul James (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Sam Warburton (Captain, Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby)
