Injured North out of Wales' Six Nations opener against Scotland / Photo: DAMIEN MEYER - AFP
-
Lula, Bolsonaro strike calmer tone in final Brazil election debate
-
Marc Marquez wins Australian sprint as Martin crashes out
-
'How is it possible?': Students protest Indonesian haze
-
North Korea's Kim calls for training world's 'strongest' military
-
Israel launches major West Bank operation after soldiers killed
-
Brewers edge Rays to capture World Series opener
-
Typhoon Champi knocks out power to thousands in Taiwan
-
France to deploy 70,000 police for fresh weekend protests
-
As Israeli election nears, campaign turns ugly
-
Tatum delivers as Celtics down winless Knicks
-
Oscar hopeful 'La Bola Negra' offers lessons about communicating, directors say
-
Romantasy fans ready for sleepless night as 'Court of Thorns and Roses' returns
-
Trapped: Soaring fuel costs hurt Maine lobster industry before midterms
-
De Goede hat-trick as Canada defeat England again
-
Marc Marquez beats brother Alex to Australian MotoGP pole
-
How to Build an Emergency Fund for Your Furry Best Friend
-
5 Ways to Prepare Financially for Parenthood
-
Robot Consulting Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Delisting Determination and Request to Appeal such Determination Before a Hearings Panel
-
Rubio urges Cubans to work with CIA, but warns: be discreet
-
Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo
-
Leclerc tops times for Ferrari in practice for US Grand Prix
-
Travelling man Wade equals Prem try record
-
Lula, Bolsonaro lock horns in final debate before Brazil vote
-
Rescuers search for seven people in Nairobi building collapse
-
Poulter and Hatton leave LIV Golf
-
Sacha Baron Cohen revives the 'problematic dinosaur' Ali G in new film
-
Blakely vaults out of the shadow of Biles for all-around world title
-
New race in Barcelona tops 17-event '27 IndyCar season
-
Oil tops $116 with stocks mixed on earnings, AI
-
Neymar backs Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil election
-
Trump orders lawsuit to block Alaska Senate result if Republicans lose
-
Melania Trump says she brokered truce in war-torn Ukrainian city
-
Ebola patient in Nigeria is Swiss, had not visited DR Congo: Bern
-
Leclerc tops times for Ferrari in opening practice for US Grand Prix
-
Messi receives top Spanish award from heir to throne
-
Bayern Munich coach Kompany in hospital after collapsing
-
Macron condemns 'racist terrorist attack' after deadly shooting near Paris
-
Signs point to renewed major US military ops against Iran
-
Shiffrin sidesteps slalom in 'exploration' season
-
European, Mideast foreign ministers push peace and diplomacy at Istanbul talks
-
Bayern Munich coach Kompany in hospital after collapsing: club
-
Ex-All Black centre Williams undergoes 'miracle' heart surgery
-
Alonso sees Courtois similarities in Chelsea's Penders
-
Netanyahu launches major West Bank operation after Israeli soldiers killed
-
Melania Trump announces truce in Ukrainian city 'on brink of disaster'
-
AFP photographer captures striking images from West Bank attack
-
Saka to be carefully managed after latest injury setback, says Arteta
-
Oil hits $116 with stocks mixed on earnings, AI
-
Goodell says NFL's France debut 'just the beginning'
-
De Zerbi says Tottenham's dire record at Chelsea 'more motivation'
Injured North out of Wales' Six Nations opener against Scotland
George North has been ruled out of Wales' Six Nations opener at home to Scotland on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.
The centre cum wing, whose 118 caps make him by far the most experienced player in the Wales squad, was sidelined after being hurt during the Ospreys' recent European Challenge Cup victory over South African side the Lions.
Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins will start in midfield instead, with Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett making a Test debut after just 15 games of professional rugby.
Liam Williams' move to Japan had paved the way for the 21-year-old Winnett's start, with wing Louis Rees-Zammit having recently quit rugby union to pursue a career in American football.
Meanwhile, Winnett's Cardiff team-mate James Botham -- grandson of England cricket great Ian Botham -- is recalled for a first Wales appearance since July 2021 in a back row also featuring Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright.
Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins will captain the side.
At the age of 21, Jenkins is Wales' youngest skipper since a 20-year-old Gareth Edwards, who became one of rugby union's greatest scrum-halves, led the team against Scotland in 1968.
Wales coach Warren Gatland, explaining North's absence, said: "George got quite a big stinger in terms of his shoulder and didn't take part in full training last week, so Owen Watkin comes into the midfield.
Wales have defeated Scotland in 11 successive Cardiff clashes, including nine Six Nations games, since the Scots last triumphed in the Welsh capital in April 2002.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is due to name his side later Thursday.
Wales reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France, losing to Argentina, but Scotland failed to get out of a tough pool also featuring eventual champions South Africa and Six Nations title holders Ireland.
Wales (15-1)
Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, James Botham; Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (capt); Leon Brown, Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Tomos Williams, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady
Coach: Warren Gatland (NZL)
D.Cunningha--AMWN