George North DROPPED by Wales for their final Six Nations clash against Scotland with captain Alun Wyn Jones to win a record 149th Test cap in Llanelli
- George North dropped from Wales’ squad to play Scotland in Six Nations finale
- Alun Wyn Jones will breaking world caps record by playing in 149th international
- North is out of the 23 with Liam Williams returning from injury to start on wing
George North has been dropped from Wales’ squad to play Scotland, with flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes making his debut and Alun Wyn Jones breaking the world caps record.
The skipper will play in his 149th international – having represented the Lions nine times – in the Six Nations finale behind closed doors in Llanelli.
But North, who won his 96th Welsh cap in France last week, is out of the 23 entirely with Liam Williams returning from injury to start on the wing. Louis Rees-Zammit is struggling with a shin problem.
George North has been dropped from Wales’ squad to play Scotland in Six Nations finale
‘It’s a little bit of form on George,’ said Wales boss Wayne Pivac.
‘He knows that and will work hard at his game to get back to where he was.’
Pivac brings in Wasps lock Will Rowlands and Exeter tight-head Tomas Francis – two players who were both in the English Premiership final – as well as Cardiff Blues blindside Lewis-Hughes, 23, on debut.
Elsewhere Nick Tompkins drops to the bench, with Owen Watkin named to start alongside Jonathan Davies at centre.
While neither Wales nor Scotland can win the title on the belated Super Saturday, the day will be a celebration of Jones’ remarkable feat – beating All Black Richie McCaw’s all-time caps record.
‘It’s a fantastic day for Alun Wyn,’ said Pivac.
‘What can you say? He’s a tremendous leader in this group – he leads by example, when he speaks everyone listens, he is matter of fact and to the point as is a tremendous guy.
‘I am so pleased he is able to achieve this. He had to wait a long time with the summer tour off, but doing it in a Six Nations match will be special for him.’
And on Lewis-Hughes – who only joined the squad officially last week as cover for Ross Moriarty and Josh Navidi – Pivac said: ‘Shane is a guy we see having a big future in the game. He’s come in a little bit earlier due to injuries, but certainly is a guy who has trained the house down and got everybody talking within the camp.
‘Alun Wyn said ‘I’ve waited 15 years for someone like you to come along’ which tells you something about the way he trains – very similar to a young Alun Wyn.’