George North can write a new chapter in his distinguished career for Wales – maybe even half a book – after being picked to play at centre for Wales.
He may have won 91 caps, but the Lions and Ospreys wing is still only 27 years old and could conceivably play international rugby for at least another five years.
How many of what could be potentially be another 50 or 60 caps will be earned with a number 13 on his back may well hinge on what happens against Italy on Saturday – as well as the long term fitness of the injured Jonathan Davies.
New head coach Wayne Pivac says Wales’ coaching staff are very happy with what they have seen from North after his switch to centre for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener.
The Ospreys wing will win his 92nd cap this weekend, but he makes just a fifth Test-match midfield appearance and a first since June 2018.
With fellow Lion Davies sidelined for the entire campaign because of a knee injury, North gains an opportunity to fill that considerable vacancy.
Uncapped Saracens centre Nick Tompkins has been named on the bench, while another midfield squad member – Owen Watkin – is continuing his recovery from a knee injury.
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Rhys Webb is back and George North is at centre for @WelshRugbyUnion this weekend! #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/vq29DiLt4J
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 30, 2020
“George played a couple of games at centre for the Ospreys, which was great for us,” said Pivac.
“He’s had four starts there for Wales as well, so it’s not foreign to him.
“I’ve got to say George has trained very well and he has taken the challenge up. He is very much looking forward to a fresh start, if you like, this weekend.
“Jonathan (Davies) has got the long-term injury at the moment and somebody is going to get the opportunity to play there.
“George gets the first crack at it, and from what we are seeing, we’re very happy.”
Tompkins, who qualifies for Wales through his Wrexham-born grandmother, will provide midfield cover for North and Hadleigh Parkes.
Pivac has handed a Test debut to Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl, while fit-again Bath number eight Taulupe Faletau is recalled.
Tompkins, 24, played for England Saxons in 2016, but he was not ‘captured’ by England as their opponents – South Africa A – were not South Africa’s recognised second team at the time.
New Zealand-born McNicholl, 29, qualifies for Wales on residency. He scored a try during the non-cap game against the Barbarians in November.
👍 Wayne Pivac name his Wales side to take on Italy later today
Here’s what happened the last five times Wales took on the Azzurri 👇 pic.twitter.com/S4S0x06bk4
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 30, 2020
But Wales have lost back-row forward Josh Navidi due to a hamstring injury, and Pivac added: “He has had a scan, and (he’s) done some damage there.
“He will be out for a few weeks. I couldn’t put a number on it. The medical team will try and get him back out there as soon as possible.”
Four other players, meanwhile – Watkin, outside back Liam Williams, scrum-half Gareth Davies and hooker Elliot Dee – could be in contention for next week’s Dublin appointment with Ireland after not being considered for Italy as they continue recovering from injuries.
For Faletau, Italy’s Cardiff visit will be his 73rd cap, but a first Wales appearance since March 2018.
He has endured a prolonged injury-hit spell in his career, and he missed the World Cup earlier this term because of a collarbone issue.
There is no place in the matchday 23 for uncapped 18-year-old Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who has scored 10 tries in 12 games for his club this season.
But Rhys Webb is included among the substitutes, with the scrum-half rejoining the Ospreys next term and now being available for Wales selection again following a stint with French club Toulon. He last played for Wales just over two years ago.
“Rhys Webb and Tomos (starting scrum-half Tomos Williams) have trained very well,” Pivac said. “We want to see Tomos start.
“Rhys has trained well. You can see the experience he brings, and he will get some game-time.”
And on Rees-Zammit, Pivac added: “When we selected Louis (for the squad), we looked at the Italian game as being a possibility.
“Unfortunately, he came into camp with an injury and couldn’t train much last week.
🚨 Italy team news!!!
Matteo Minozzi back in the Championship 😃
Centurion Zanni in line for 118th cap 😲
Niccolo Cannone starts for Azzurri debut 🙌#GuinnessSixNationshttps://t.co/ODheNyCQJx— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 30, 2020
“He hasn’t had the opportunities that Johnny Mac (McNicholl) and Josh (Adams) have, so it has counted against him. But he looked good on Tuesday when he trained, and he’s got a big, bright future in the game.”
Pivac takes charge of his first Six Nations match after succeeding Warren Gatland, who masterminded three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-final appearances during a 12-year reign.
“We’re working hard on our attack, but it’s going to take a little bit of time,” he said.
“Some of the skill-sets need to improve, but where there is a will, there is a way. At the moment the boys are very willing, so it’s a pretty good start in terms of training.
“Everyone starts on zero, the Italians are in front of us and we have to knock them over. Then we have to worry about the Irish and the French, English and Scottish.”
Italy’s temporary head coach Franco Smith has named Carlo Canna, usually a fly-half, at inside centre, with Tommaso Allan at 10.
Alessandro Zanni, who has 117 caps to his name, captains the side in the second row, where he is joined by debutant Niccolò Cannone.
Prop Danilo Fischetti is also in line to make his debut from the bench.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.
Italy: Matteo Minozzi; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini; Tommaso Allan, Callum Braley, Giosuè Zilocchi, Luca Bigi (capt), Andrea Lovotti, Alessandro Zanni, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn.
Replacements: Federico Zani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, Dean Budd, Giovanni Licata, Guglielmo Palazzani, Jayden Hayward.
