DAVE Attwood has left camp to attend the birth of his first child with England hopeful he will return in time for Saturday's clash with New Zealand.

Uncapped George Kruis is on standby to line-up alongside Courtney Lawes in the starting XV if Bath second row Attwood is forced to miss the QBE Series opener at Twickenham.

"Dave has gone home, his wife's in labour," forwards coach Graham Rowntree said.

"They've both promised me their baby will be delivered in the next couple of days! Hopefully that will be sorted for the weekend.

"He's in his car and on his way home, so good luck to them both.

"We'll deal with this day by day. We'll assess it on Thursday morning."

Attwood has been earmarked to start after Joe Launcbury was ruled out of the autumn appointments with New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia with a neck problem.

If the 27-year-old's fiance Bridget gives birth in time, he will have the opportunity to make a third successive appearance against the All Blacks after winning two caps as a replacement on the June tour.

"We're very confident in Dave. The Tests against New Zealand in the summer gave him a taste of high-class rugby," Rowntree said.

"He enjoyed it and he's gone back, got himself very fit and shed some weight.

"His game involvement has increased sufficiently and he's played exceptionally well in Bath's pack, so I'm more than happy with him."

George North will start in the centre when Wales open their autumn Test campaign against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

With Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams both absent due to injuries, Wales head coach Warren Gatland has switched juggernaut Northampton wing North into midfield, where he will be partnered by Jamie Roberts.

In-form Scarlets back Liam Williams will wear the number 11 shirt, while Rhys Webb has edged out Mike Phillips for the scrum-half role.

Meanwhile, Bath prop Paul James has earned a start ahead of Gethin Jenkins when Wales open their autumn Test campaign against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.