Postpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 November 2014
Warren Gatland is spoilt for choice in the back three.
North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny were all Lions Test players in 2013 and Halfpenny was man of the series in the 2-1 win over Australia.
Williams' form has been outstanding but it would have been a big call to drop a world-class goal-kicker like Halfpenny.
The other option to move Williams onto the wing in place of Alex Cuthbert would have been tough on the Blues player who has scored tries in Wales last four internationals and has a total of 14 in 28 appearances.