Six Nations 2024: Wales head coach Warren Gatland explains centre omissions

Warren Gatland gave George North his international debut in 2010

Wales head coach Warren Gatland says it was not a difficult decision to leave out George North and Nick Tompkins for the Six Nations game against France.

Gatland sprung a major selection surprise by omitting the established centre duo for a new midfield pairing of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin.

"They (North and Tompkins) were outstanding during the World Cup," said Gatland.

"Again, it's a chance for us to look at a few other players."

North, 31, is Wales's most experienced Six Nations squad member with 120 caps and four World Cups behind him.

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This is the second game the Ospreys centre has not been selected for after he was left out of the side for the opening defeat against Scotland.

"George and I have had some honest discussions about whether he gets through to the next World Cup," said Gatland.

"He started at a very young age at 18 he was playing for Wales.

"Part of our discussions was about how we manage him going forward.

"We've got to make sure we've got some depth in that 13 position, that's why Joe gets an opportunity.

"We've had a conversation with George. I must say how the two boys have responded after the disappointment of being left out this week, they have been fantastic in the way they've trained and helped the team.

"It's a credit to them. Apart from that disappointment, they've been outstanding for us."

Tompkins has had to return to English club Saracens during the fallow Six Nations weeks before and after the Ireland defeat.

Gatland says that has caused a problem with missed training sessions, although Wales have picked England-based duo Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell, as well as Racing 92 lock Will Rowlands for France.

"I spoke to Nick during the week and I said 'I thought you were fantastic when you're in with us'," added Gatland.

"Despite what everyone says and players wanting to leave Wales, not having that continuity all the time during the week can sometimes be a bit of a distraction.

"You've got players who you've been working on things from the previous week, when players were away. I'm not saying that's a part of the selection, but it does potentially have a slight impact.

"I spoke to Nick a bit about that. I said we're not unhappy with him, it's just a chance, after him the playing the first three games, to keep working on developing some depth in this squad."

The 155 caps total of Tompkins and North has been replaced by the new duo's total of 38 internationals with Watkin having 37 of those.

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Scarlets centre Roberts, 23, will make his first tournament start and Watkin is recalled after featuring against opening opponents Scotland.

This will be Roberts' second cap after making his debut against England in a World Cup warm-up defeat at Twickenham in August 2023.

"We wanted to give Joe an opportunity," said Gatland.

"He was unlucky on the World Cup stuff. He's had a knee injury, but had that fixed.

"He probably struggled during the World Cup camps, being able to handle the volume that was thrown at him.

"He's looking a lot sharper than that period when he was with us in camp. He's a left-foot option as well and he's been training well.

"We've moved Owen from 13 from that first game to 12, where we potentially see him as an option and want to see how he goes.

"We've spoken to the two boys about their roles and how important it is. They've got a chance to make a statement.

"What I'm looking for, is not about them playing, but them being vocal and making sure they communicate to the 10s from the outside.

"That's a massive thing for us in terms of work-on, but also them realising how vocal they need to be in attack and defence."

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