DAN Lydiate has recovered from an ankle injury to enable Wales to reunite their World Cup stars in the back row against Scotland at the Millenn-ium Stadium on Sunday.

The Newport Gwent Dragons blindside missed last week’s Six Nations opener in Ireland with Ryan Jones performing superbly in his absence.

But lock Bradley Davies’ seven-week suspension for foul play has spared head coach Warren Gatland a selection headache with Ospreys flanker Jones moving forward into the second row.

That enables Lydiate to join forces with Dragons teammate Toby Faletau and captain Sam Warburton, who is named in the side but remains a doubt after suffering a dead leg in Dublin.

The triumvirate combined sensationally at the World Cup and assistant coach Rob Howley believes there is a lovely mix in jerseys 6,7 and 8.

“The balance of the back row is superb and is right up there with Ireland and New Zealand,” he said.

“There is the hard graft of Dan, the mongrel seven in Sam who gets his hands dirty and the big ball carrying of Toby.”

Gatland also recalls loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins after he missed the 23-21 win in Ireland because of a knee injury.

Saracens prop Rhys Gill is unfortunate to drop out of the 22 after a good first international start in Dublin.

“Gethin brings a wealth of experience to the team, which is the main reason we have brought him in for Rhys, who is unlucky to miss out with Paul James covering both sides of the scrum from the bench,” said Gatland.

There are no changes behind the scrum with Alex Cuthbert recovering from a bang to the head to take his place on the wing and Leigh Halfpenny remaining at full-back.

Scarlets second row Lou Reed will make his international debut if he comes off the bench.

“We cannot afford to underestimate Scotland,” said Gatland.

“The amount of possession and territory they had against England last weekend meant that they should have won the game and they will come to the Millennium Stadium buoyed by that knowledge.”