Wales hand Navidi his big chance as Pivac mixes it up
TAULUPE Faletau has been dropped from Wales’ starting lineup to take on England tomorrow after suffering an injury while on Bath duty at the weekend.
Wales boss Wayne Pivac made four changes to his side to take on Six Nations championship contenders England at Twickenham, with both Josh Navidi and Liam Williams returning from injury and Tomos Williams and Rob Evans handed recalls.
The 29-year-old Faletau has started all three of Wales’ games so far and would walk into the majority of sides worldwide, but with the No 8 unable to train until yesterday due to an injury picked up playing for Bath last Sunday in their defeat by Bristol, fit-again Navidi is drafted straight back into the starting line-up.
“That’s just one of the downsides to guys playing outside of Wales — having to play on a Sunday before a Test match,” said Pivac.
“We think it’s better this weekend for him to come off the bench and have a smaller part in the game.”
Navidi has been limited to just two appearances for Cardiff Blues this season due to a torn hamstring that he suffered in the World Cup last autumn, but Pivac has no concerns about throwing him and Liam Williams in at the deep end.
“The key was to get enough volume into them,” explained Pivac. “We’ve done that and we think they’re both ready to go. They’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to the start line this weekend.
“They’re both very experienced players and they know their body as well as anyone. We’re confident they can do a job for us.”
Dan Biggar is fit enough to start alongside Tomos Williams, after picking up a knock.