The Japan Times - North returns as Wales ring changes for England

Veteran coach Gatland responded to Wales' agonising 27-26 tournament-opening loss to Scotland in Cardiff by making seven changes to his starting 15.

Experienced North, 31, returns from a knee injury to replace Owen Watkin, with the powerhouse centre lining up alongside Nick Tompkins in midfield.

Meanwhile fly-half Sam Costelow, injured in the first half against Scotland, is replaced by Ioan Lloyd, with Tomos Williams chosen instead of Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

Wales were 27-0 down against Scotland before scoring 26 unanswered points to nearly snatch an astounding victory at the Principality Stadium.

They initially struggled up front, with Gatland selecting a new front row of Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee and Keiron Assiratti to face England after the trio impressed off the bench in the second half against Scotland.

Alex Mann, a try-scoring replacement last weekend, has been handed a first Wales start, with the flanker taking over from the injured James Botham.

"We've been critical and tough on ourselves this week," said Gatland after naming his matchday 23 on Wednesday.

"That first half was nowhere near the standards we expect. We simply cannot start the same way this Saturday."

The New Zealander added: "We showed in the second half against Scotland what we are capable of. Now it's about building on that performance and playing with some tempo from the off... We need to be accurate and keep our discipline."

Wales have not won at Twickenham since 2015 but Gatland took heart from England's unconvincing 27-24 defeat of Italy in Rome last week.

"This is a massive game, not only because of the history and what it means to everyone in Wales," he said.

"But it's an opportunity to get things on track a bit more. England are in a rebuilding phase. We'll go there with a lot of confidence we can build on that second half and belief."

Uncapped Bath prop Archie Griffin is on the bench, where he is joined among the replacements by Will Rowlands after the lock linked up with the squad after his partner recently gave birth.

Fly-half Cai Evans, the son of former Wales captain Ieuan Evans, will look to win his second cap off the bench.

England coach Steve Borthwick is due to name his side on Thursday.

Wales (15-1)

Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Ioan Lloyd, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann; Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (capt); Keiron Assiratti, Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Taine Basham, Kieran Hardy, Cai Evans, Mason Grady

Coach: Warren Gatland (NZL)

S.Yamada--JT