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| - George North has been moved to centre for Wales' Six Nations opener at home to Italy on Saturday. Best known as a powerhouse wing, North slots into midfield to replace injured centre Jonathan Davies for what will be new coach Wayne Pivac's first full international in charge. North will be winning his 92nd Wales cap this weekend but making only his fifth start at centre. "George has had a number of games in the midfield for Wales, and more recently for the Ospreys, and he has been running there in training," said Pivac. "We have been impressed with him there and he is excited by the opportunity." Pivac has given a Test debut to Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl, while fit-again No 8 Taulupe Faletau returns for the reigning Grand Slam champions. Faletau's 73rd Wales cap is set to come nearly a year after his last appearance for the national side, with the dynamic loose forward's career interrupted by injuries including a collarbone problem that saw him miss last year's World Cup in Japan. Saracens centre Nick Tompkins could make his debut off the bench after being included among the replacements. Tompkins is Wales qualified through his Wrexham-born grandmother and Saturday's international at the Principality Stadium will give him something else to focus on following the scandal that has already seen disgraced English and European champions Saracens relegated for breaches of Premiership salary-cap regulations. The 24-year-old Tompkins played for England's reserve Saxons in 2016, but was not 'captured' by England as their opponents -- South Africa A -- were not South Africa's recognised second team at the time. Pivac resisted the temptation to bring uncapped Gloucester teenage wing Louis Rees-Zammit into his matchday 23 but experienced scrum-half Rhys Webb is on the bench. Webb, who will rejoin the Ospreys next season is available for Wales again after a spell with French club Toulon. He last played for Wales just over two years ago. But Josh Navidi, like Faletau a back-row forward, is set to be out for action for up to a month with a hamstring injury, with Cardiff wing Owen Lane sidelined for four months after hamstring surgery. They join an injury list that includes star fullback Liam Williams. New Zealand-born McNicholl, 29, qualifies for Wales on residency and scored a try during the non-cap game victory over the Barbarians in November -- Pivac's first fixture of any kind as Wales coach. He will line up alongside Leigh Halfpenny and Josh Adams in the back three. "It is great for Johnny McNicholl to get his first cap," said Pivac. "I thought he played really well against the Barbarians. "Nick (Tompkins) has trained really well and has impressed, and we are looking forward to seeing him at some stage during the game. "The whole team has a great vibe, and we are looking forward to getting out there in front of our home supporters on Saturday." Former Scarlets boss Pivac has succeeded Warren Gatland after his fellow New Zealander stood down after the World Cup, where Wales lost to eventual champions South Africa in the semi-finals. Wales will be huge favourites to defeat Italy given the Azzurri have lost their last 22 Six Nations matches, a run stretching back to 2015. Wales team (15-1) Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright; Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Jake Ball; Dillon Lewis, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins jdg/lp
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