Six Nations 2020: Wales team to face Ireland sees George North moved back to wing and Nick Tompkins start at centre

WALES have shifted George North back to the wing and promoted Nick Tompkins to outside centre for their clash in Dublin.

Ireland's Aviva Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Welsh, who have not won at the ground since 2012 in the Six Nations — but Wayne Pivac's side thumped Italy 42-0 in the opener.

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But the clash should be one of the matches of the entire tournament, with Wayne Pivac able to pick from a near-fit squad.

Injuries to experienced stars Liam Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Jonathan Davies do not look to have hit the Red Dragons too badly.

George North is shifted back to the right wing, with Nick Tompkins starting at 13 after his impressive try-scoring performance against Italy — new winger Johnny McNicholl is named on the bench.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones continues his quest to equal the world record of 148 test caps by the end of the tournament as he skippers the side in Dublin.

Taulupe Faletau continues at No8 in an unchanged pack from the Italy win, while impressive Leigh Halfpenny will undoubtedly have a kicking game to contend with Jordan Larmour in the opposite No15 jersey.

On the bench Cory Hill is replaced by Adam Beard as the replacement second row.

Ireland's under-performing side will be looking to make amends after a frustrating World Cup campaign in Japan after their incredible 2018.

Wales brushed the men in green aside last year in Cardiff, clinching their fourth Grand Slam in 15 years in a 25-7 victory.

A solid-but-not-perfect 19-12 win over Scotland will have given Andy Farrell plenty to smile about, but the reigning champions will be a different prospect.

Wayne Pivac said: “We’ve made just one change after a winning start last weekend.

"Nick comes into the side, I thought he played exceptionally well when he came on last week so he deserves the start. George, who played really well last weekend at centre, moves back out to the wing.

"On the bench we have a few players back available, Rhys Carre impressed at the RWC and he comes back in.

"Adam Beard comes in for Cory Hill who picked up a leg injury earlier this week, Gareth (Davies) is fully fit and Owen Williams comes onto the bench and gives us a bit more cover.

"Momentum is important in the Championship, it was nice to get a good winning start under our belts and hopefully we can build on that through the tournament."

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Wales team to face Ireland in Six Nations

Backs

• 15. Leigh Halfpenny (86 Caps)
• 14. George North (92 Caps)
• 13. Nick Tompkins (1 Cap)
• 12. Hadleigh Parkes (26 Caps)
• 11. Josh Adams (22 Caps)
• 10. Dan Biggar (80 Caps)
• 9. Tomos Williams (17 Caps)

Forwards

• 1. Wyn Jones (23 Caps)
• 2. Ken Owens (74 Caps)
• 3. Dillon Lewis (23 Caps)
• 4. Jake Ball (43 Caps)
• 5. Alun Wyn Jones C (135 Caps)
• 6. Aaron Wainwright (19 Caps)
• 7. Justin Tipuric (73 Caps)
• 8. Taulupe Faletau (73 Caps)

Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (10 Caps) 17. Rhys Carre (6 Caps) 18. Leon Brown (7 Caps) 19. Adam Beard (20 Caps) 20. Ross Moriarty (42 Caps) 21. Gareth Davies (51 Caps) 22. Owen Williams (3 Caps) 23. Johnny McNicholl (1 Cap)