George North ready to be centre of attention for Wales
Wing set to step up into midfield against France
Wales power wing George North is set for an unfamiliar midfield role when the champions look to get their faltering Six Nations campaign back on track against France in Cardiff on Friday.
The Lions star was moved to the centres when Scott Williams suffered a shoulder injury during Wales’ crushing 26-3 loss to Ireland in Dublin last time out.
Williams remains out of action while Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies won’t play against "Les Bleus" after suffering a pectoral muscle injury against South Africa in November which has sidelined him from international action ever since.
Equally, Ashley Beck is not deemed to be fully fit following a hip injury.
The talented James Hook, primarily a fly-half, could be slotted in to midfield alongside Jamie Roberts.
But the Perpignan playmaker’s failure to nail down a spot in Wales coach Warren Gatland’s team speaks eloquently of his frustrations at Test level and North does at least have recent midfield experience.
The giant flyer may have started all his 37 Wales Tests on the wing but he did play at centre when his club, Northampton, enjoyed a European Cup win over Leinster in Dublin two months ago.