SCRUM-HALF Kieran Hardy will start for Wales ahead of his Scarlets’ regional team-mate Gareth Davies as Wayne Pivac’s side go for the Triple Crown against old rivals England in Cardiff on Saturday.

The 25 year-old, who hails from Pontyberem, came on for Davies inside 50 minutes against Scotland, when Callum Sheedy also replaced Dan Biggar at fly half, and the changes helped secure victory.

With first choice number nine Tomos Williams sidelined with a hamstring problem, Pivac has gone with the talented rookie, who has just three senior caps having made his debut last November.

It is a remarkable achievement for Hardy, who just over two years ago was playing for Jersey Reds in the second tier of English rugby, after failing to earn a contract with any of the Welsh regions.

The Wales coach has kept faith with Dan Biggar at fly half, although the dual-qualified Callum Sheedy will be itching to get involved after choosing to play for Wales, instead of Eddie Jones’ team.

Centre Jonathan Davies was passed fit to start alongside the returning George North, despite fierce competition for places from Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams and Willis Halaholo.

Davies will line up in the more unfamiliar inside-centre position against England, although he formed the midfield partnership with North that started the Autumn Nations Cup victory against Italy.

North, at the age of 28, will overtake Australian captain Michael Hooper as the youngest player to reach 100 senior caps for their country, in what is a much-changed back division for Wales.

Liam Williams will move from wing to full back in place of Leigh Halfpenny, who suffered concussion at Murrayfield, with Louis-Rees Zammit and the returning Josh Adams set to start on the wings.

“We’ve had a great two weeks leading into this game and we are looking forward to Saturday,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac after the team announcement on Thursday.

“We continue to build and we know there is plenty left in us in terms of improvements from the opening two rounds, we are two from two, but we want to continue to improve performance wise.”

He added: “Saturday is also a great milestone for George (North), it is a huge achievement at his age, and we are looking forward to seeing him in action.”

Wales name an unchanged front-five with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis packing down in the front-row, and Adam Beard partnering captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second-row.

There is a return from injury for Josh Navidi, who replaces Aaron Wainwright at blindside flanker, with Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau keeping their starting places in the back row forwards.

Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover for Wales, with Cory Hill and James Botham completing the forward contingent, whilst Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy and Uilisi Halaholo provide the back-line cover.

WALES: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Jonathan Davies, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Kieran Hardy, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 6. Josh Navidi, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Cory Hill, 20. James Botham, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Uilisi Halaholo.

ENGLAND: 15. Elliot Daly, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola. Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart,19. Charlie Ewels, 20. George Martin, 21. Ben Earl, 22. Dan Robson, 23. Max Malins.