Six Nations 2015: Wales' George North returns to face France

Alex Cuthbert and George North were Lions team-mates in 2013

Fit-again wing George North returns as Wales make four changes to the side that beat Scotland for Saturday's Six Nations game in France.

Alex Cuthbert makes way for North, who missed the Murrayfield win after taking two blows to the head against England.

Samson Lee, who was concussed in the defeat by England, reclaims the tight-head spot from Aaron Jarvis.

Scott Baldwin takes over at hooker from Richard Hibbard, while Luke Charteris replaces Jake Ball at lock.

Cardiff Blues' Cuthbert, 24, who was to be spoken to by the Welsh management after a video recently emerged of him appearing to throw a mobile phone belonging to a member of the public down a street, has been dropped from the matchday squad.

Ball, who plays for Scarlets, is also out of the 23 heading to the Stade de France, while Jarvis and Hibbard are named as replacements.

Wasps' Bradley Davies is the lock cover while Scarlets captain Scott Williams' versatility allows him to back up the three-quarter line from which Cuthbert has been omitted.

Gatland said: "We have made some tough calls and there were some tight decisions, but it is a very strong team we are putting out.

"We have a lot of strength in depth at second-row.

"It is a chance for Luke Charteris to get a start and we have been impressed with Bradley Davies as well.

Warren Gatland hopes Wales can repeat their win of 2013 in Paris

"It is nothing against Jake, but we have a lot of strength in depth and it's an opportunity to see the other two.

"It's a chance for Scott Baldwin. The last time he started he went well in the victory over South Africa.

"It is great to have Samson back available and it was a tough call in the back three, but we have decided to go with Liam Williams and George.

"We felt we improved against Scotland and we are looking for another improvement this weekend."

Wales team to face France

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Liam Williams (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Paul James (Bath), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).