Gatland backs Priestland to deliver (From Keighley News)

Gatland backs Priestland to deliver

7:49am Wednesday 21st November 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Wales boss Warren Gatland has offered unequivocal backing to fly-half playmaker Rhys Priestland following his dip in form.

Priestland has struggled to recapture the performance levels that saw him produce headline-grabbing displays during last season's successful World Cup and RBS 6 Nations campaigns.

"He had a great World Cup and Six Nations last season and when he plays well, the team does," Gatland said. "He has taken the brunt of a lot of the criticism in the last two weeks."

He added: "I do not care who you are, if you can handle it you will come through the better for it, and I have told him that. He has not experienced it before and we have to support him."

The Scarlets number 10 started Wales' opening autumn Test defeat against Argentina earlier this month and then appeared as a substitute for more than half the game against Samoa five days ago (Wales lost 26-19) after Dan Biggar was injured.

But despite ineffective displays in both encounters, Gatland has named Priestland in a starting XV showing five changes for Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash with world champions New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Scarlets midfield powerhouse Jonathan Davies has recovered from a groin problem to make his first appearance of the autumn series on Saturday, replacing Ashley Beck, while hooker Matthew Rees returns to the front row.

Elsewhere, lock Luke Charteris is in for Ian Evans, who has taken only a limited part in training due to knee trouble, and openside flanker and captain Sam Warburton replaces Justin Tipuric.

"I expect a response from the players," Gatland added. "We want a performance everyone can be proud of.

"We are going to go out there and, I hope, throw something a little bit different at the All Blacks and put them under a bit of pressure."