Wales wing George North has been replaced in the starting line-up for this Saturday’s Dove Men Series clash with New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium by fellow Scarlet Liam Williams.
North picked up a hip injury during a training session at the Welsh Rugby Union National Centre of Excellence, at the Vale Resort in Hensol, on Tuesday afternoon and will remain in camp with the national squad to receive treatment in the hope of returning for the series climax against Australia next week.
Williams made his international debut at the Millennium Stadium against the Barbarians early this summer, but has not appeared again despite going on to tour Australia under interim head coach Rob Howley and being named on the Wales bench against Argentina in the Dove Men Series opener a fortnight ago.
The 21-year-old Morriston-born player has been a consistent performer for the Scarlets this season at full back, but comes into the side as a direct replacement for North on the wing.
WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees, Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric, Tavis Knoyle, James Hook, Scott Williams