The giant wing impressed as a replacement for Manu Tuilagi against the Reds on Saturday, a couple of barnstorming runs a reminder of his threat to opposition defences.
North is joined in the starting line-up by five other Welshmen as head coach Warren Gatland’s experimentation in the build-up to selection for the first Test continues.
Alex Cuthbert starts his second game in quick succession after featuring against the Reds while Jamie Roberts reunites with Brian O’Driscoll in the centre.
The two midfield aces linked superbly on the 2009 tour to South Africa in the four matches they played together and get the chance to extend their run together by proving they haven’t lost any of the understanding that caused the Springboks so many problems.
“Some players have been asked to back up from the weekend and we will be asking some others to do the same against the Waratahs on Saturday,” said Gatland.
“The Reds was a tough game – exactly what we were looking for. The idea for Tuesday is to look at some other combinations.”
Those different combinations see Welshmen Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans and Justin Tipuric all get starts in the pack. Evans partners Richie Gray in the boiler room with Irishmen Sean O’Brien and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip completing the back row alongside Tipuric.
In the front row, Hibbard is joined by prop Alex Corbisiero and with Ryan Grant on the bench, both new squad players have been given an immediate chance to shine.
The two were called out to Australia to take over from the injured Cian Healy and Gethin Jenkins respectively and are thrown into competitive action straight away.
There is strong Welsh representation on the bench too where Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies and Leigh Halfpenny all feature.
One of the more interesting selections though, is that of Stuart Hogg who starts at outside half.
“We always said Stuart Hogg would act as cover for No 10 and we need to look after the two regular outside halves and give them the chance to have a rest,” said Gatland.
“Johnny Sexton had a scan on his hamstring after the game against the Reds and it showed there was no tear. He was just a little bit tight.
“We’d like to have a few more games in the build-up to the first Test. We will have to start thinking about formulating the Test side, particularly the majority of the side, for the Waratahs.”
Lions:
Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, George North; Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Ian Evans, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Rory Best, Ryan Grant, Matt Stevens, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny.
