Wales wing withdraws
Wales have suffered a late blow ahead of Saturday's clash with New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium with wing George North forced to withdraw due to injury.
North picked up a hip injury during a training session at the Welsh Rugby Union National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort in Hensol on Tuesday afternoon and has failed to recover in time for Saturday’s encounter against the All Blacks.
He has been replaced in the starting line-up by fellow Scarlet Liam Williams. Williams made his international debut at the Millennium Stadium against the Barbarians earlier this year but has not appeared since despite going on to tour Australia under interim head coach Rob Howley and being named on the Wales bench against Argentina a fortnight ago.
The 21-year-old Morriston-born player has been a consistent performer for the Scarlets this season at fullback but comes into the side as a direct replacement for North on the wing.
North will remain in camp with the national squad to receive treatment in the hope of returning for the season finale against Australia next week.
Wales (Revised): 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 James Hook,23 Scott Williams.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.15 GMT
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces, Greg Garner (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
