Australia v Wales: Wales hope on North and Williams injuries

Wales hope George North and Scott Williams will be fit for their second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

The Scarlets wing was replaced after 31 minutes of the first Test defeat in Brisbane suffering a dead leg and will undergo medical assessment this week.

Centre Scott Williams also sustained a cut lip after a nasty clash of heads with Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.

But Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley expects both will return for Saturday's second Test at the Etihad Stadium.

Wales' medical team have stated that North, who has scored 10 tries in 22 Welsh internationals, will undergo "intense treatment" in an attempt to be ready for the visit to Melbourne.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," said Howley.

James Hook replaced North in Brisbane and went to full-back as Leigh Halfpenny moved to the wing.

That could be an option for the second Test if North's knock does not respond to treatment during the week.

Howley admitted Williams suffered "a nasty bump to the lip" that required stitches but Wales are hopeful that the Scarlets centre will be fit for selection for the second Test.

"He is okay so that is good for him," added Howley.

Toby Faletau joined centre Jamie Roberts and hooker Huw Bennett on the injury list for the three-Test Australia tour after the Newport Gwent Dragons number eight broke a bone in a hand in Saturday's loss at the Suncorp Stadium.

Gareth Delve has been called into the 34-man squad as Faletau's replacement and the Melbourne Rebels number eight will feature on the bench for their tour match with Super 15 side the Brumbies.

Lock Luke Charteris is the only player from Wales' first Test defeat in Brisbane to be retained in their starting line-up for Tuesday's match in Canberra.

Wales squad for Australia tour:

FORWARDS: Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels)

BACKS: Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Aled Brew (Biarritz), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets).