The 32-year-old centre has captained his country on two occasions in the past, both in 2000, and the recent Sale Sharks recruit will do so again at the Rentschler Stadium in Hartford this weekend.

Taylors side will feature one debutant as 24-year-old Llanelli Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees makes his Test debut in the absence of the injured Mefin Davies.

Taylor said: It is a great honour to be captaining Wales again and winning my 50th cap at the same time makes it extra special.

Coach Mike Ruddock said: I am delighted for Mark that he is leading the team out for his 50th cap - he has been, and still is, a great servant to Wales.

He is still in great shape and he has already been hugely influential with the younger players on this tour.

He also still has a huge amount of ambition, hence his new three-year deal with Sale.

Ruddock added: We are looking forward to the challenge of playing the USA.

They have two games under their belts in the past few weeks - they narrowly lost 30-26 to Canada and beat Romania 28-22.

They are a very settled team with some exciting runners behind including Francois Viljoen, Mike Palefau, Paul Emerick and Mike Hercus.

They have a very big, aggressive pack and, with Kort Schubert as captain, they will know a lot about the Wales team.

Wales team to play USA in Hartford on Saturday:
K Morgan (Newport Gwent), R Williams (Cardiff), M Taylor (Sale, captain), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent), C Morgan (Cardiff), N Robinson (Cardiff), M Phillips (Cardiff); D Jones (Neath-Swansea), M Rees (Llanelli), A Jones (Neath-Swansea), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea), L Charteris (Newport Gwent), J Thomas (Neath-Swansea), C Charvis (Newcastle), R Jones (Neath-Swansea).

Replacements: R Thomas (Cardiff), B Broster (Saracens), I Gough (Newport Gwent), R Pugh (Neath-Swansea), A Williams (Bath), M Watkins (Llanelli), T Selley (Llanelli).