George North makes Six Nations return for Wales against Scotland

George North returned after injury to the Wales team announced Wednesday for Saturday's Six Nations international away to Scotland.

North replaced Alex Cuthbert, heavily criticised for his role in Wales's 21-16 defeat by defending champions England in Cardiff earlier this month, in what was the only change to the starting side.

There was less than an hour before kick-off at the Principality Stadium when Northampton powerhouse wing North, with 28 tries in 66 Tests to his credit, failed a fitness test on a leg injury suffered in Wales's tournament opener against Italy and was replaced by Cuthbert.

England came from behind to win when, with just four minutes left, Elliot Daly scored a dramatic try in the corner after opposing wing Cuthbert missed a tackle.

Coach Rob Howley's decision to select Cardiff flyer Cuthbert, now no longer even in the match day 23 for this weekend's visit to Murrayfield, against England was slammed as a "blind hope" call by former Wales wing Shane Williams.

Meanwhile Howley resisted the temptation to restore Taulupe Faletau, who came off the bench against England, to the starting side.

He instead retained a back-row of Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton. 

The experienced Faletau was again among the replacements, with his Bath team-mate Luke Charteris taking over as second-row cover from Newport Gwent Dragons lock Cory Hill after recovering from a fractured hand.

Moriarty was one of Wales's outstanding performers against England and Howley also faced flak for taking him off as early as the 53rd minute.

Knee injuries have seen Faletau make just a couple of 80-minute appearances for Bath this season.

Scotland, beaten 22-16 by France last time out, are due to name their side on Thursday.

- 'Know what we are capable of' -

"We have been able to select from a position of strength which is a huge positive and it is good to welcome George (North) back into the starting XV and Luke (Charteris) on to the bench,” said Howley in a Welsh Rugby Union statement. 

"In terms of intensity and performance, we stepped up a level against England and we need to take the positives from that performance and take it into 80 minutes against Scotland at Murrayfield," explained Howley, in charge while regular Wales coach Warren Gatland is seconded to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their tour of New Zealand later this year.

"We know what we are capable of and we want to deliver that on Saturday alongside the result, which international rugby is all about," the former Wales and Lions scrum-half added.

Both Wales and Scotland remain in title contention after one win from two matches so far this Six Nations, with the Welsh beating Italy 33-7 in Rome first time up and the Scots launching their campaign with a 27-22 win at home to Ireland.

Wales, however, have dominated this fixture in recent years and will head to Edinburgh seeking a 10th consecutive win over Scotland.

They have not lost to Scotland since a 21-9 defeat in 2007, a match where all of the Scots' points came courtesy of seven Chris Paterson penalties, with Wales's winning streak also featuring four successive victories at Murrayfield.

Wales team to play Scotland in a Six Nations international at Murrayfield on Saturday (1425 GMT kick-off): 

Wales (15-1) 

Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton; Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Jake Ball; Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Rob Evans

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts

source: AFP