George North recalled to Wales team for Six Nations clash with France
Tuesday 24 February 2015 20:06, UK
George North has been recalled by Wales for Saturday's Six Nations game against France at the Stade de France.
The Northampton wing was forced to miss the 26-23 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield last time after taking two blows to his head during the 21-16 home defeat against England in Cardiff in the opening game of the competition.
However, North has now been deemed fit to return and he replaces his fellow 2013 British and Irish Lion Alex Cuthbert in the team for the trip to Paris.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made three other changes to his starting XV with prop Samson Lee, who was concussed in the England match, taking over from Aaron Jarvis.
There are also starts for hooker Scott Baldwin and lock Luke Charteris who have been promoted from the replacements' bench in place of Richard Hibbard and Jake Ball respectively.
Baldwin and Lee join Gethin Jenkins to re-form the front row that started in November’s victory against South Africa, while Charteris starts alongside Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.
The back row remains unchanged with Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau lining up with skipper Sam Warburton, who is set to equal Ryan Jones’ record of 33 matches as captain of Wales.
Tough calls
Gatland said: “We have made some tough calls and there were some tight decisions but it is a very strong team we are putting out.
“We have a lot of strength in depth at second row, it is a chance for Luke Charteris to get a start and we have been impressed with Bradley Davies as well. It is nothing against Jake but we have a lot of strength in depth and it’s an opportunity to see the other two.
“It’s a chance for Scott Baldwin to start as well, the last time he started he went well in the victory over South Africa. It is great to have Samson back available and it was a tough call in the back three but we have decided to go with Liam (Williams) and George.
“We felt we improved against Scotland and we are looking for another improvement this weekend. It’s a tough competition to go on the road and ask for that but that is what we are looking for.”
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.
