Ospreys centre North returns to the starting XV to reform his international partnership with Saracens Nick Tompkins having missed the 27-26 defeat to the Scots at the Principality with a shoulder problem.
North’s regional teammate Gareth Thomas comes into a refreshed back-row with Dragons hooker Elliot Dee and Cardiff’s Keiron Assiratti with both the latter having impressed off the bench against the Scots.
Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins once again leads the side and is partnered by Ospreys Adam Beard.
Cardiff’s Alex Mann comes in for his first international start on on flank having scored one of the four second half tries last weekend to partner Leicester Tigers Tommy Reffell.
Man of the match in the tight loss Aaron Wainwright continues at eight, whilst there is a new half-back partnership in Tomas Williams at nine and Scarlets Ioan Lloyd at ten after Scarlets duo Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow were both left out of the matchday 23. Fly-half Costelow’s omission down to a failed HIA on a neck injury suffered last time out.
Cardiff’s Cam Winnett wins his second cap at full back, while regional teammate Josh Adams escapes punishment after being singled-out by Gatland for a loss of costly points against the Scots to take his place on one wing, with Dragons Rio Dyer on the other.
The replacements bench sees Racing 92’s Will Rowlands, Scarlets Keiron Hardy and Dragons duo Taine Basham and fly-half Cai Evans all make the 23 for the first time in the campaign, with Evans set to make his debut for Wales if introduced.
Wales XV to face England:
Cam Winnett, Rio Dyer, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Ioan Lloyd, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements:
Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Taine Basham, Keiron Hardy, Cai Evans, Mason Grady.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
