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North to win 100th Wales cap in match with England

rugby25 February 2021 15:24| © AFP
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George North © Getty Images

George North is set to win his 100th Wales cap after being named in Wayne Pivac's starting XV to face England in Saturday's Six Nations international.

At 28 years and 320 days, he will surpass Australia's Michael Hopper as the youngest player to reach a century of caps for his country.

North, best known as a wing, and Jonathan Davies form Wales' centre pairing after recovering from foot and ankle injuries that ruled them out of the win over Scotland earlier this month.

Victory in Cardiff would clinch the Triple Crown for Wales and keep alive their hopes of a Grand Slam.

"Saturday is a great milestone for George," head coach Pivac said after announcing his team on Thursday. "It is a huge achievement at his age and we are looking forward to seeing him in action."

North made his test debut as an 18-year-old wing, scoring two tries against South Africa in 2010.

'EXCITEMENT'

But the powerhouse flyer is now lining up at inside centre and Pivac said he "brings a lot of excitement" to the position.

"He is still highly motivated and wants to play for Wales well past 100 games, and I am sure he is going to do that with the attitude he is showing," he said.

Pivac has made five changes and one positional switch from the side that edged Scotland 25-24 at Murrayfield.

Wing Josh Adams returns after serving a two-match ban for breaching coronavirus protocols.

Liam Williams has moved from wing to fullback, replacing Leigh Halfpenny, with Kieran Hardy preferred by Pivac to Gareth Davies at scrumhalf.

In the pack, Josh Navidi returns to Wales' back row.

Halfpenny failed a head injury assessment against Scotland after going off shortly before halftime.

Wales, who won only three out of 10 tests under Pivac in 2020, have engineered a remarkable turnaround.

They have beaten Ireland and Scotland in this year's Six Nations, albeit after both of their opponents had a man sent off.

"We're nowhere near the complete team," said Pivac. "A couple of wins give you confidence. There's plenty of work to be done but this match will give us a chance to show the rate of improvement."

Reigning champions England started their Six Nations title defence with a shock loss at home to Scotland before overpowering Italy.

Pivac, however, said of England: "Having dropped the first game makes them more dangerous. They're the team to beat for us."

Wales (15-1)

Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Kieran Hardy; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi; Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Adam Beard; Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Willis Halaholo

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