Centre Nick Tompkins has been handed his first Wales start for the Six Nations trip to face Ireland as Wayne Pivac makes one change to the team that defeated Italy.

Tompkins lines up alongside Hadleigh Parkes with George North switching to his more familiar wing position.

Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl drops to the replacements bench.

Saracens centre Tompkins made his debut against Italy and scored a superb solo try as a replacement.

"I thought Nick played very, very well and we think he deserves a chance, so that's what he's getting," Pivac explained.

"So George moves out to the wing. We're also pleased with George's game. Johnny McNicholl is the one that's the casualty - he will get an opportunity off the bench."

Scrum-half Gareth Davies, prop Rhys Carre, fly-half Owen Williams and lock Adam Beard are named as replacements coming in for Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Rob Evans and Cory Hill, who misses out through a leg injury.

Davies returns after recovering from a groin injury while Saracens prop Carre is back after serving a suspension following his red card against Ospreys in the Champions Cup in January 2020.

Pivac said Wales were keen to avoid making unnecessary changes.

"No, we wanted to keep it reasonably consistent. Overall we got what we wanted out of the Italy - five points and there was some good play there and some parts of our game need to be looked at, which we've done this week," h added.

"Hopefully there will be a marked improvement, so we got what we needed out of the game and now we move forward, keeping that nucleus as it is to help us achieve that."

North will line up in an experienced back three alongside Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny, while Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar continue their partnership at half-back.

Wales have named an unchanged pack with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis in the front row and Jake Ball lining up alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau feature in the back row.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Nick Tompkins, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Owen Williams, Johnny McNicholl.

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