The team will be led by experienced flanker Dan Lydiate, with Seb Davies, Leon Brown, Sam Cross, Adam Beard and Owen Watkin all new faces in the starting XV.
In total there are 14 changes from last weekend’s 29-21 defeat to Australia.
Earlier today Gatland sat down with the media to discuss the thinking behind his selection, the threat posed by Georgia, and his delight at an expected crowd of more than 50,000.
Here’s what he had to say…
On Wales’ team selection…
“I think it’s a nice balance. There are a couple of injuries and we didn’t consider some players like Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans because of knocks.
“We had a chat about continuity from last week, but we just feel this is an opportunity for some of the youngsters to be exposed at this level and to build for the next two years.”
On Seb Davies at No 8…
“This is a big opportunity for him. He’s big and athletic and he’s played there before.
“We need to make sure in the next couple of years that we find cover for Taulupe Faletau if he picks up an injury. This is a great chance for Seb to play international rugby there.
“We are not throwing him in at the deep end as someone who has never played there. We think this is a great chance for him to go out and impress. It’s also a good chance for us to have a look at him.”
On Georgia…
“It’s going to be tough. They have improved in recent years, Milton Haig has done a great job coaching them, and they had a good win against Canada last week.
“In the last three games they have won something like 15 scrum penalties so we know we’ll have to scrum well and we’re confident about doing that.
“We want to continue being positive in the way that we play and we want to ask questions of them in terms of keeping the ball on the park and taking quick taps if it’s on.”
On Sam Cross…
“We have watched him for the last couple of years playing Sevens. We know he’s athletic and he’s been working hard on his line-out skills.
“He’s good at the breakdown and he gives us another option. He’s been great in the squad, he’s kept his head down, and he’s still learning.
“Given that position is so attritional in terms of injuries, and we’ve seen that with Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and James Davies, the more depth we can develop the better.”
Under Armour Series 2017 – BUY TICKETS HERE
WALES v GEORGIA – Saturday, 18 November 2017 (14:30)
WALES v NEW ZEALAND – Saturday, 25 November 2017 (17:15) SOLD OUT
WALES v SOUTH AFRICA – Saturday, 2 December 2017 (14:30)
Official Hospitality Packages are available from 02920 822 413 or visit www.wru.wales/hospitality and official travel packages can be purchased from the WRU’s official travel supplier, Gullivers Sports Travel by visiting www.gulliverstravel.co.uk
The WRU’s official resale marketplace, which gives clubs the opportunity to re-sell a limited selection of their allocated tickets to the general public, can also be found at www.seatwave.com/wru
