North suffered a dead leg in last week's win over Italy but though he played on, heavily strapped, and scored a 70-metre try in the closing minutes, he was ruled out an hour before kickoff in Cardiff (16.50GMT).
The loss of one of their most potent weapons is a major setback for Wales, not least as Cuthbert has been struggling for form and looks a shadow of the player who scored two tries in the memorable 30-3 victory over England four years ago, having crossed the line once in his last 16 tests.
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(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Neil Robinson)
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