Wales have made eight personnel changes to their side to face Fiji on Saturday, with five Ospreys included in the matchday 23.
Scott Baldwin makes his first start for his country, and is joined in the XV by Justin Tipuric, while Alun Wyn Jones drops to the bench where he is named alongside James King and Nicky Smith, the prop featuring in a senior Wales line-up for the first time.
"We have made a number of changes, but we are going out there with what we think is a strong side to take on Fiji,” said Gatland.
"The whole squad has been working very hard and were pushing for selection last week so it's an opportunity for them to start.
"We were pleased with the performance last week and we will be looking to build on that and get the result we want this weekend.
"We have made some changes, some have been enforced due to injury but we don't feel it weakens the side.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY FIJI:
Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Unattached), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).