Wales reward English-born Tomas Francis with debut and hand George North recall for World Cup warm-up clash against Ireland
- Wales travel to Dublin to face Ireland in their World Cup warm-up clash
- Yorkshire-born Tomas Francis will make his Wales debut on Saturday
- The 23-year-old earned a place in the Aviva Premiership team of the season
- Winger George North will make his first appearance since March
- Wales rugby news: All the latest ahead of the 2015 World Cup in England
- Rugby World Cup 2015: CLICK HERE for all the latest news and more
Yorkshire-born Tomas Francis will make his Wales debut on Saturday after being named in Warren Gatland’s side to face Ireland.
The 21st Exeter tight-head, who was contacted by Stuart Lancaster before Gatland swooped to secure his services, has become a World Cup bolter in the Welsh ranks following an injury to Samson Lee and the retirement of Adam Jones.
Impressive club performances earned Francis a place in the Aviva Premiership team of the season and - eligible for selection through his Welsh grandmother – the rookie 23-year-old could now become a key component in Gatland’s quest to qualify from the Group of Death.
Yorkshire-born Tomas Francis (left) will make his debut for Wales in their warm-up clash with Ireland
George North has also been named in Warren Gatland's Wales side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday
Lions wing Alex Cuthbert (centre) has been given a chance to stake his claim ahead of the World Cup
‘The squad are looking forward to travelling over to Ireland for what is a big warm-up fixture,’ said Gatland.
‘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.’
With Lions trio Richard Hibbard, Mike Phillips and James Hook already among the high-profile omissions, seven more players will be cut when Gatland announces his final 31-man squad on Monday.
Francis is part of a close-to-full-strength XV for the Test at the Aviva Stadium, with Lions winger Alex Cuthbert and ex-captain Bradley Davies also given a chance to stake their claim ahead of the World Cup.
Wing George North will make his first appearance since March as he returns from concussion, with full-back Leigh Halfpenny completing an experienced back three.
Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts form the midfield partnership in the absence of Jonathan Davies, playing outside the Ospreys half-back combination of Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar.
Alun-Wyn Jones captains the side from lock in the absence of Sam Warburton, who is replaced by Justin Tipuric in a back-row that also features Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate.
Gethin Jenkins and Ken Owens complete the front-row, with Owens given a chance to impress following the omission of Hibbard earlier in the month.
Ospreys trio Scott Baldwin, Paul James and Aaron Jarvis are named as front-row replacements and are joined by Luke Charteris and James King. Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland and Hallam Amos complete the substitutes.
Impressive club performances earned Francis (centre) a place in the Aviva Premiership team of the season
Wing North will make his first appearance since March in Dublin as he returns from concussion
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