Kiwi wing to start for Wales At a glance

George North was named at centre and the uncapped New Zealandborn Johnny McNicholl on the right wing for Wales against Italy in their Six Nations match tomorrow (NZ time) in Cardiff.

Another uncapped player, Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, was picked in the reserves yesterday.

Taulupe Faletau was recalled at No 8 after nearly two years out because of broken forearms and collarbone, and Tomos Williams will be the halfback with Rhys Webb as backup after Rugby World Cup starter Gareth Davies picked up an injury. Webb last played for Wales more than two years ago.

Also, flanker Josh Navidi, one of Wales’ best players in their World Cup semifinal run, could miss the first three rounds of the Six Nations after a hamstring injury. Another hamstring injury ended Navidi’s World Cup campaign in the quarterfinals.

North, normally on the right wing, is at centre for Jonathan Davies, who will miss the Six Nations after injuring his knee at

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Jake Ball, Dillon Lewis, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones. Reserves: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.

Italy: Matteo Minozzi, Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morsi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Allan, Callum Braley; Braam Steyn, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Niccolo Cannone, Alessandro Zanni, Giosue Zilochhi, Luca Bigi (c), Andrea Lovotti. Reserves: Federico Zani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Dean Budd, Marco Lazzaroni, Giovanni Licata, Guglielmo Palazzani, Jayden Hayward.

the World Cup. North has four previous starts at centre – the last in June, 2018 – in his 94-cap career, and has moved there during more recent matches.

‘‘And more recently for the Ospreys,’’ new Wales coach Wayne Pivac said. ‘‘We have been impressed with him there and he is excited by the opportunity.’’

McNicholl enjoyed a try-scoring start on the wing for Wales against the Barbarians last November in a non-cap match, and Pivac was impressed enough to give the Scarlets flyer a full debut against Italy.

Tompkins has been one of the form centres of the English Premiership. He qualified for Wales through his grandmother Enid.

Wales have only five changes from the side which narrowly lost to eventual champions South Africa in the World Cup semifinals in Japan in October.

New Italy coach Franco Smith handed lock Niccolo Cannone his debut. The 21-year-old Cannone will partner Treviso clubmate Alessandro Zanni, who will be making his 118th appearance for the Azzurri.

Uncapped Zebre prop Danilo Fischetti is in the reserves, and Leonardo Sarto is back on the right wing, more than two years after he last played for Italy.

Smith also opted for dual playmakers, pairing Tommaso Allan with Carlo Canna at second five-eighth.