Wayne Pivac claims it was an ‘easy call’ to drop George North ahead of his 100th international match

George North has been axed by Wales for what would have been his 100th international — but skipper Alun Wyn Jones will break the world caps record against Scotland on Saturday.

Winger North, 28, was quiet against France last week and, with Liam Williams back fit, head coach Wayne Pivac dropped his most experienced back for the Six Nations finale.

‘It was quite an easy call really,’ Pivac said. ‘Not every selection comes off and George didn’t play his best game of rugby. He was the first to say that he wasn’t happy with that performance.’

Wayne Pivac (above) says it was an easy call to drop North after his display against France

Louis Rees-Zammit is out with a shin problem, and Nick Tompkins drops out for Owen Watkin at centre. 

Gareth Davies replaces the injured Rhys Webb at scrum-half and Will Rowlands and Tomas Francis come in for Cory Hill and Samson Lee respectively. 

Flanker Aaron Wainwright makes way for debutant Shane Lewis-Hughes, who has impressed since his call-up to the squad last week.

Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones will break the world caps record of 149 against Scotland

Pivac added: ‘Alun Wyn said, “I’ve been waiting 15 years for someone like Shane to come along”. In preparation, the way he trains, Shane is his clone.’ 

And of 35-year-old Jones, who will surpass All Black great Richie McCaw’s 148 caps, Pivac said: ‘I’ve been around a lot of very good rugby players and I put him right at the top.’

Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg return to the Scotland squad.