Jenkins has made 13 changes following last weekends victory over the Pacific Islands, returning largely to the first-choice side which drew 29-29 with Australia on the opening weekend of November.

The only tactical switch for Friday has been to include the in-form Mark Jones on the wing and move Gareth Thomas, who will captain the side, to full-back in place of Kevin Morgan.

James Hook starts at fly-half, after Stephen Jones failed to recover from knee ligament damage in time.

This selection will form the basis of the Wales team to play New Zealand on November 25 - but such is the strength in depth that places are still up for grabs.

With Jones expected to be fit to start against the All Blacks, Jenkins is undecided whether to use Hook or Gavin Henson at inside centre.

Jenkins wants to use the Test against Canada to cement Wales strongest first XV in his own mind ready for that All Blacks appointment.

He said: When we select the side to play New Zealand it will be what I think is our best team. It will be a statement selection.

This is an incentive selection. This team has got to challenge itself, because of the performance of last weeks selection against the Pacific Islands.

The pressure on this team to perform on Friday is as much from within the squad as from Canada.

There could be three or four or five different selections for the New Zealand game. The pressure is on this team to impress.

This set of players get a second opportunity to play, knowing the boys in their positions played well last week. This is part of the process going towards that All Blacks selection.

As a case in point, both Sonny Parker and Ceri Sweeney were rewarded with places on the bench after performing particularly well against the Islanders.

Thomas has a chance to forge his way ahead of Morgan, who misses out after two impressive performances against Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Thomas last captained his country in Februarys home win over Scotland, before suffering a mini-stroke which ruled him out for the rest of the season.