Teifi star Scott Williams is released from Wales squad

The Scarlets centre was called into the squad to cover Willis Halaholo's absence after he had tested positive for Covid-19.

But now Cardiff's Halaholo has rejoined the national squad, and the 31 year-old Williams will return to his region.

Williams won 58 caps for Wales and had been tipped to make his first Test appearance since 2019 this autumn having started the season in fine form with Scarlets.

Meanwhile fellow Newcastle Emlyn man Gareth Thomas will look to make his first appearances of the campaign from the bench on Sunday.

The loosehead prop was called into the squad to replace fellow Osprey Rhodri Jones, after suffering a calf injury during training.

Thomas, who made his debut against Canada in the Summer, has won three international caps.

Scrum half Gareth Davies, another Newcastle Emlyn star, has not been named in the matchday squad to face Fiji as Scarlets teammate Keiran Hardy comes into the starting line-up, with Tomos Williams on the bench.

The headline news in Wayne Pivac's selection was that Alex Cuthbert will make his first Wales appearance for four years as one of five personnel changes for Sunday's match.

Along with scrum half Hardy, full-back Liam Williams and centre Johnny Williams are recalled in a revamped backline.

Wasps flanker Thomas Young returns as the only change in the pack.

Fellow back row Ellis Jenkins captains Wales after starring in the defeat by South Africa last Saturday, his first Test for three years.

Dan Biggar stays at fly-half and Josh Adams moves from wing to centre.

Another positional change sees Taine Basham move from openside flanker to number eight for the injured Aaron Wainwright, who Wales hope will be fit to face Australia on 20 November.

Wales team to face Fiji on Sunday: L Williams; Cuthbert, Adams, J Williams, Rees-Zammit; Biggar, Hardy; Carre, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Jenkins (capt), Young, Basham. Replacements: Roberts, Thomas, John, Tshiunza, Davies, T Williams, Sheedy, Tompkins.