GEORGE North will start in midfield for Wales in their autumn opener against Australia after centre Jonathan Davies failed to recover from a shoulder injury.

Davies suffered a blow playing for Clermont Auvergne in the Rugby Champions Cup and is unable to feature against the Wallabies, meaning a return to the partnership of in-form Northampton speedster North and Jamie Roberts that Warren Gatland fielded against France in the Six Nations.

Scarlets full-back Liam Williams slots in on the wing while Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb has won the battle with Mike Phillips for the start.

Paul James, who will return to the Ospreys from Bath next season, gets the nod at loosehead while Jake Ball is preferred to Bradley Davies.

Number eight Taulupe Faletau is the only Newport Gwent Dragons player in the squad with Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton either side of him in the back row.

“We have spoke a lot about this autumn and the year ahead and we are really excited to kick off the campaign this weekend,” said Gatland.

“We have had a couple of very hard weeks at training, the squad have been put their paces but come have come through well.

“It’s good to be able to bring back a number of players who missed the last two tests (against South Africa) and they add to what is a very experienced side.

“Injuries in the midfield means we get to see Jamie and George line-up together there again and we were pleased with how that went earlier in the year.

“We have been impressed with the form of Rhys and Dan at half-back for the Ospreys so it will be good to see hem together on this stage again.

“Paul James and Jake Ball have impressed as well so they get the nod to start.

“The last few outings against Australia have been extremely tight, we are expecting the same this weekend and its going to be another huge battle but it’s a challenge we are really looking forward to.”

Australia, who have won the last nine Tests against Wales, name their side on Thursday morning.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Unattached), Sam Warburton (captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (London Wasps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).