New Zealand-born wing Johnny McNicholl will earn a first cap for defending champions Wales in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Italy in Cardiff.

Former Crusaders wide man McNicholl, 29, scored a try for the Welsh in a 44-33 victory over the Barbarians in November, but that was an uncapped international and he will play his first official fixture against the Italians.

His selection means George North stays at outside centre, with the rest of the back three made up of fullback Leigh Halfpenny and wing Josh Adams.

“It is great for Johnny McNicholl to get his first cap, I thought he played really well against the Barbarians so it is a great opportunity for him this weekend,” coach Wayne Pivac said.

“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. We have been impressed with him there and he is excited by the opportunity.”

Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar line up as the half-back pairing, Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and No.8 Taulupe Faletau make up the back row of the scrum, with captain Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball occupying the lock positions.

Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis and hooker Ken Owens make up the front row.

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.

Interchange: Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.