Wales look North in bid to conquer Scotland
LONDON: Returning winger George North is the only change to the Wales starting lineup as they seek to get back to winning ways in the Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
North missed the last-gasp 21-16 defeat at home to England on Feb 11 but has recovered from a dead leg and will replace Alex Cuthbert in a back three that also includes winger Liam Williams and fullback Leigh Halfpenny.
There was some debate around the expected make-up of the pack, especially the back-row, with the return to full fitness of Taulupe Faletau.
However, caretaker coach Rob Howley has stuck with the loose forward trio of Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, who have impressed in the competition so far, leaving Faletau to take his place on the bench once more.
There is also one change among the replacements as lock Luke Charteris comes in for Cory Hill.
“We have been able to select from a position of strength which is a huge positive and it is good to welcome George back into the starting XV and Luke [Charteris] on to the bench,” Howley said in a Welsh Rugby Union statement yesterday.
“In terms of intensity and performance, we stepped up a level against England and we need to take the positives from that performance and take it into 80 minutes against Scotland at Murrayfield.
“We know what we are capable of and we want to deliver that on Saturday alongside the result.”
Wales opened their Six Nations campaign with a comprehensive 33-7 victory in Italy before suffering the agonising home defeat to England.
SEXTON BACK IN CONTENTION
Ireland backs Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney returned to training on Tuesday and are available for the Six Nations game against France in Dublin on Saturday.
“Both guys trained fully today and Rob Kearney trained yesterday. Johnny came in and out of yesterday’s session and no reaction from either of them,” Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy told reporters. “He [Sexton] took a full part today and with a little bit of contact in there as well. Both guys should be ready to go,”
Winger Andrew Trimble and scum-half Conor Murray also passed fitness tests on Tuesday.
Fly-half Sexton, seeking to go on a second British and Irish Lions tour later this year, has missed Ireland’s first two matches of the tournament with a calf injury.
The 31-year-old has suffered a spate of injuries over the last few years with numerous concussions, plus shoulder, hamstring, neck and calf problems.
His replacement Paddy Jackson was lauded for his performances during the opening two games in which Ireland lost narrowly to Scotland but beat Italy 63-10 away.