Captain Sam Warburton returns at openside flanker while centre Jonathan Davies returns to re-form the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam-winning partnership with Jamie Roberts.

Lock Luke Charteris replaces the injured Ian Evans while Matthew Rees returns at hooker for Richard Hibbard, another injury casualty, and Rhys Priestland takes over at fly-half from Dan Biggar.

And Gatland is in no doubt as to the challenge his side face.

“It's nice to be back and we have chatted about the disappointments of the last two weeks and getting things back on track this week,” he said.

“It's not a physical issue. It's just getting the head right and facing a daunting challenge, but being excited about it.

"This New Zealand team is one of the best rugby sides to have ever played the game and probably the best All Blacks team ever, so it will be a privilege to be able to test ourselves against them.

"No one is more disappointed than the players and the coaches with how things have gone in the last two weeks, but those supporters who have been with us over the last 18 months know, just as we do, that we are a better side than we have displayed so far and we will be looking to show that on Saturday."