George North returns to Wales team to face Ireland

Alun Wyn Jones will lead Wales out against Ireland in the Aviva on Saturday, in the absence of Sam Warburton as head coach Warren Gatland selects a near full strength side for the World Cup warm-up tie.

Winger George North will earn his 50th cap in his first appearance since a series of concussions last March.

North is joined in the back three by Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny as Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar are named at scrum half and outhalf respectively, with Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams named in the midfield.

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis make his international debut at 23-years-old.

“The squad are looking forward to travelling over to Ireland for what is a big warm-up fixture,” said Gatland.

Seven players will be cut from the Wales squad on Monday, making this weekend the last chance to impress for many of those involved.

“We have trained well over the past few weeks and Saturday is a chance for a lot of players to get their first taste of rugby this campaign.

“We trimmed the squad down in the middle of August and the remaining 38 have worked extremely hard.

"It's always a great game in Dublin and there is an important factor to this match, with the Rugby World Cup squad announced just a few days later."

Asked about Warburton’s absence this weekend, Gatland said: “He has a little knock on his shoulder.

“It’s kind of like a pinched nerve. It is nothing serious. We could have played him this weekend. It is just making sure he is 100 per cent right.”

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs); Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys); Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons).