GEORGE NORTH HAS been asked to fill Wales’ problem position at No13 as Wayne Pivac begins his tenure on Saturday.
The big headlines from Pivac’s first selection see North start his fifth international as an outside centre, New Zealand-born Johnny McNicholl picked for his debut, Tomas Williams edging out Rhys Webb to claim the scrum-half slot and Taulupe Faletau returning after a lengthy period out with injury.
North has solved a problem for Pivac in the centre – considering Jonathan Davies has been ruled out of the competition with injury.
In the back row, Faletau’s return – after a two-year absence – sees him link up with Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric. Josh Navidi misses out with a hamstring injury.
Dillon Lewis starts instead of injured prop Tomas Francis; Wyn Jones and Ken Owens complete the front row. Jake Ball partners Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.
“I’m happy with the side and looking forward to this weekend,” said Pivac.
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“It is great for Johnny McNicholl to get his first cap. I thought he played really well against the Barbarians so it is a great opportunity for him this weekend.
George has had a number of games in the midfield for Wales and more recently for the Ospreys and he has been running there in training. We have been impressed with him there and he is excited by the opportunity.
“Nick [Tompkins] has trained well and has impressed and we are looking forward to seeing him at some stage during the game.
“We’ve had a couple of injuries. Josh Navidi picked up a hamstring injury so he is out for a few weeks, while Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Gareth Davies and Elliot Dee weren’t quite ready to be available for selection.
“The whole team has a great vibe and we are looking forward to getting out there in front of our home supporters on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, new Italy boss Franco Smith has picked two out-halves at 10 and 12 in the shape of Tommaso Allan and Carlo Canna. Luca Bigi captains the team from hooker.
Wales:
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Johnny McNicholl
13. George North
12. Hadleigh Parkes
11. Josh Adams
10. Dan Biggar
9. Tomos Williams
1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias
17. Rob Evans
18. Leon Brown
19. Cory Hill
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Rhys Webb
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Nick Tompkins
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Wales select George North at centre amid injury crisis
GEORGE NORTH HAS been asked to fill Wales’ problem position at No13 as Wayne Pivac begins his tenure on Saturday.
The big headlines from Pivac’s first selection see North start his fifth international as an outside centre, New Zealand-born Johnny McNicholl picked for his debut, Tomas Williams edging out Rhys Webb to claim the scrum-half slot and Taulupe Faletau returning after a lengthy period out with injury.
North has solved a problem for Pivac in the centre – considering Jonathan Davies has been ruled out of the competition with injury.
In the back row, Faletau’s return – after a two-year absence – sees him link up with Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric. Josh Navidi misses out with a hamstring injury.
Dillon Lewis starts instead of injured prop Tomas Francis; Wyn Jones and Ken Owens complete the front row. Jake Ball partners Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.
“I’m happy with the side and looking forward to this weekend,” said Pivac.
“It is great for Johnny McNicholl to get his first cap. I thought he played really well against the Barbarians so it is a great opportunity for him this weekend.
“Nick [Tompkins] has trained well and has impressed and we are looking forward to seeing him at some stage during the game.
“We’ve had a couple of injuries. Josh Navidi picked up a hamstring injury so he is out for a few weeks, while Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Gareth Davies and Elliot Dee weren’t quite ready to be available for selection.
“The whole team has a great vibe and we are looking forward to getting out there in front of our home supporters on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, new Italy boss Franco Smith has picked two out-halves at 10 and 12 in the shape of Tommaso Allan and Carlo Canna. Luca Bigi captains the team from hooker.
Wales:
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Johnny McNicholl
13. George North
12. Hadleigh Parkes
11. Josh Adams
10. Dan Biggar
9. Tomos Williams
1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias
17. Rob Evans
18. Leon Brown
19. Cory Hill
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Rhys Webb
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Nick Tompkins
Italy:
15. Matteo Minozzi
14. Leonardo Sarto
13. Luca Morisi
12. Carlo Canna
11. Mattia Bellini
10. Tommaso Allan
9. Callum Braley
1. Andrew Lovotti
2. Luca Bigi (captain)
3. Giousue Zilocchi
4. Alessandro Zanni
5. Niccolo Cannone
6. Jake Polledri
7. Sebastian Negri
8. Braam Steyn
Replacements:
16. Federico Zani
17. Danilo Fischetti
18. Marco Riccioni
19. Dean Budd
20. Marco Lazzaroni
21. Giovanni Licata
22. Guglielmo Palazzani
23. Jayden Hayward
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Centre stage Six Nations George North Wales