Wales bring in big name for Six Nations wooden spoon decider
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: George North has been recalled to the Wales team for Saturday’s Six Nations wooden spoon decider against Italy.
North, who was omitted from the starting line-up beaten 24-45 by France, replaces Joe Roberts, with his fellow centre Nick Tompkins returning instead of Owen Watkin.
Two other changes are in the pack, where Harlequins prop Dillon Lewis is preferred to Keiron Assiratti and Cardiff flank Alex Mann packs down alongside back-row colleagues Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright.
Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins, who featured at blindside flank against France, returns to the second row alongside Adam Beard, with Will Rowlands dropping to the bench.
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow. 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins (captain), 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.15 (14.15 GMT; 15.15 CET)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)