FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Italy v Wales - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - March 13, 2021 Wales' George North runs in to score a try REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - George North has been named at outside centre as he makes his first Wales appearance in over a year against South Africa at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, while there is also a debut for loose-forward Tommy Reffell.
North, who has spent most of his career on the wing, will bolster the midfield alongside Nick Tompkins as he returns from a serious knee injury that ruled him out of the British & Irish Lions tests against the Springboks last year.
Flanker Dan Lydiate also makes his first appearance in more than 12 months after recovering from injury and will form a back row with debutant Reffell and number eight Taulupe Faletau.
"We’re very pleased they’re back after long layoffs," coach Wayne Pivac said of North and Lydiate. "They’ve both worked very hard and were playing well at the time of their injuries, so it was disappointing for them to be out for so long.
"But to have them back, and the experience they bring, it’s great for the group.
"Tommy Reffell is a player we’ve been watching for some time now. He’s been in very good form with Leicester Tigers and he’s match fit – which is important with our squad not having played a lot of rugby recently."
Scrumhalf Kieran Hardy will be alongside captain Dan Biggar as the halfback pairing, while Liam Williams is at fullback, and Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams on the wings.
Hooker Ryan Elias is joined in the front row by props Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis. Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are the second row pairing.
"This is our first tour away as a group so it’s fantastic for us," Pivac said. "The guys have had a good week’s build up, have really enjoyed each other’s company and just being away in different surroundings.
"It’s going to be a great atmosphere Saturday, a great challenge and one we’re looking forward to."
Wales, who will play three tests against the Springboks, have lost all 10 of their previous tests in South Africa.
Wales team:
15. Liam Williams
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
13. George North
12. Nick Tompkins
11. Josh Adams
10. Dan Biggar (captain)
9. Kieran Hardy
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Ryan Elias
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Will Rowlands
5. Adam Beard
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Tommy Reffell
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements
16. Dewi Lake
17. Rhys Carre
18. Tomas Francis
19. Alun Wyn Jones
20. Josh Navidi
21. Tomos Williams
22. Gareth Anscombe
23. Owen Watkin
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Toby Davis)
