George North will play his first game since his season was ended, four months ago, by concussion.
The Northampton winger has been named in an extremely strong Welsh XV to take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, on Saturday.
North starts on the left wing while Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb and Dan Lydiate all come into the side.
There is no place for Wales captain Sam Warburton in the matchday squad.
Tomas Francis earns his debut, at tighthead, while Alun-Wyn Jones captains Warren Gatland’s men.
WALES
Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis: Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones: Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Luke Charteris, James King, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Hallam Amos.
Ireland beat Wales 35-21 last time the two sides met – as recently as two weeks’ back.
