Pivac: There’s no place for hate in Six Nations

WAYNE PIVAC has no time for England’s talk of ‘war’ and ‘hate’ ahead of their Calcutta Cup match as he prepares Wales to take on Ireland in Dublin. The former policeman, who on occasions had to tell parents their children had died in his former job back in Auckland, thinks the pre-match Six Nations mud-slinging is unnecessary. ‘Hate is a pretty strong word,’ said Pivac, 57. ‘I don’t think there’s any need for that. We talk about getting in the trenches and all teams do. ‘Players are usually reflective of what they’re hearing from coaching staff. Yes it’s a contact sport, it’s a gladiatorial sport and you’ve got to have the mindset right. ‘I think we all know who hates who and who likes who. No matter who is the opposition, we have a job to do and that’s try to win. I think everyone is pretty much the same underneath.’ Pivac made one change to his starting side, bringing in Saracens centre Nick Tompkins (below) for Johnny McNicholl as George North reverts to the wing. Tompkins’ family will all now jet to Dublin for his first start. ‘They weren’t meant to fly out to Ireland but they’re all coming now,’ he said. ‘Even my (English) dad’s side — it was brilliant to see him having a Wales shirt on last week! That was the best.’ Pivac wants Wales to be ready for a physical challenge in the 40mph gusts brought by Storm Ciara. ‘If you don’t bring that physicality you are going to come off second best,’ he said. ‘It’s been an enjoyable week and you can tell it’s a bigger game than last week just from the reaction of the players.’ Wales want a first win in Ireland since 2012 in this tournament — but it is hardly a matter of life or death. ‘It’s nothing but a win this weekend,’ he concluded. ‘The players know exactly what is at stake.’

WALES team to face Ireland: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, T Williams; W Jones, Owens, Lewis; Ball, AW Jones (c); Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau. Subs: Elias, Carre, Brown, Beard, Moriarty, G Davies, O Williams, McNicholl.