North fitness boost for Howley

WALES will select from a fully-fit squad for their clash at Murrayfield on Saturday. Rob Howley’s side have not lost there since 2007 and will have George North available after the Northampton Saints star recovered from a thigh injury. North missed the narrow defeat to England after picking up the problem in the opening-round win over Italy in Rome. But he is fit again along with Bath pair Taulupe Faletau and Luke Charteris.

“We are looking very healthy – we’re definitely healthier than we were in the England week,” said defence coach Shaun Edwards. “We’re selecting from a position of strength. George North has trained and is raring to go.”

While North is set to replace Alex Cuthbert on the right wing, Howley faces a back-row poser. Faletau played 80 minutes for Bath in their win over Harlequins but faces a tough task getting back into the Wales side after Ross Moriarty’s display against England.

“We’re very aware of the threat from Scotland,” Edwards said. “Both teams are very competitive at the breakdown.

“They’ve got some momentum in the last few seasons and Stuart Hogg is the talk of the town at the moment. In the Six Nations he’s one of the most dangerous players around.”

Scotland also received good news on the injury front with flankers John Barclay and John Hardie plus hooker Fraser Brown, who all suffered head knocks in the 22-16 defeat by France, cleared to play.

Loose forward Ryan Wilson is free from the illness that ruled him out in Paris while backs Sean Maitland and Mark Bennett are fit again after weekend club knocks.