![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Et8XSscXMAIPUD7-1024x1024.jpg\")
George North\u2019s hopes of winning his 100th Wales cap on Saturday have been dashed by injury.<\/p>\nGeorge North\u2019s hopes of winning his 100th Wales cap on Saturday have been dashed by injury.<\/p>\n
North had been set for a third-successive start at outside center in Wales\u2019 Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland.<\/p>\n
He suffered a scratched eye during a 21-16 victory over Ireland last weekend, making him the fifth player from that starting line-up ruled out because of injury.<\/p>\n
With North\u2019s fellow centers Johnny Williams and Jonathan Davies also absent, Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has turned to Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin as his midfield partnership at Murrayfield.<\/p>\n
New Zealand-born Cardiff Blues center Willis Halaholo, who qualifies for Wales through residency and was only called into Wales\u2019 Six Nations squad on Wednesday, is among the replacements.<\/p>\n
Center Williams and wing Hallam Amos are unavailable because of head injuries suffered in the Ireland game, while that fixture also claimed scrum-half Tomos Williams (hamstring) and flanker Dan Lydiate (knee), in addition to North.<\/p>\n
Liam Williams returns from a three-match ban to replace Amos, with Gareth Davies taking the number nine shirt and Aaron Wainwright called into the back row as Pivac makes five enforced changes.<\/p>\n
Scarlets flanker Josh Macleod would have replaced Lydiate and won his first cap, but he was injured in training, while fellow flanker Josh Navidi is also injured.<\/p>\n
James Botham \u2013 grandson of England cricket great Sir Ian Botham \u2013 joins Halaholo on the bench. He won three caps during Wales\u2019 Autumn Nations Cup campaign.<\/p>\n
Despite missing the Scotland game, 28-year-old North will still break Australia captain Michael Hooper\u2019s record as the youngest player to reach a century of caps for their country if he plays against England on February 27.<\/p>\n
The loss of so many frontline players, though, presents Pivac with a major test of his squad depth as Wales prepare to tackle England\u2019s resurgent Calcutta Cup conquerors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to feel extremely disappointed for Josh (Macleod), who we selected to start and to win his first cap, only to be ruled out later that day through injury,\u201d Pivac said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a quick six-day turnaround this week, but we are looking forward to getting back out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have picked up a couple of injuries, but we see it as more of an opportunity for those coming into the side.\u201d<\/p>\n