Navidi on course to make Wales return against England

JOSH Navidi appears on course to give Wales a huge boost and be available for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash against England.

The influential Cardiff Blues back-row forward has not played Test rugby this autumn.

He missed Wales’ friendly against France and a delayed Six Nations appointment with Scotland last month - plus Nations Cup games against Ireland and Georgia - after he suffered concussion in late September.

But Navidi and back-row colleague Taulupe Faletau, who had a minor knee issue, are back in full training ahead of the Parc y Scarlets encounter.

Wales, meanwhile, are continuing to assess flanker Justin Tipuric, who suffered a head knock during the Georgia game three days ago.

Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins said: “If Navs is right, he’s a fantastic player.

“For me, he is a world-class player, the type of guy with minimal rugby that can step up and play Test match football. He is one we are keeping a close eye on, and we will have a look on Thursday.

“Tips is going through his protocols, as you normally would after a head injury. It was a pretty heavy knock, but he seems pretty good, and we will see how he goes for the rest of the week.”

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is due to name his starting line-up tomorrow, but star centre Jonathan Davies is expected to miss out because of a knee problem.

Pivac’s men face a Herculean task, meeting England after losing six of their last seven games. In contrast, dominant England have reeled off six successive victories, including a Six Nations title-clinching win against Italy, before dismantling Ireland last weekend.