KEV KICKS OFF

I HAVE got to say there can’t be any complaints about Wales losing on Saturday against Ireland in Dublin. I was quite surprised how we were still in the game for so long as Ireland dominated territory and possession for most of the game. Wales did score three opportunist tries but Wales’ defence let them down and I know Shaun Edwards won’t be happy.

I have got to say there was a great atmosphere in Dublin as Allan Bateman and I were over there on a stag weekend.

Warren Gatland has said in the media that there will be changes for the Italy game so it will be interesting how many and who will come in. I think there will be few in the forwards and I expect Rhys Patchell or Gareth Anscombe will come in at 10 and I definitely would pick George North, maybe at outside centre. It’s time to experiment now and look at the combinations.

Wales will face the Springboks in Washington DC in the summer on their way to take on Argentina in a two-Test series. There are lots of countries now playing games in the US so I’m not sure if it’s a World Rugby decision but rugby is on the up over there.

Dan Biggar has been getting some stick off the BBC Scrum V team. They are saying he’s got to stop moaning to the referee all the time and Martyn Williams said he’s got to keep quiet and get on with his game. It’s a tough call as I was always on the ref’s back about certain things but nowadays there’s big money involved and you can’t afford to give away penalties. QUESTION: What team do you think Warren Gatland will select against Italy as he’s promised changes?

To tell the truth it’s lucky we’ve got Italy as he can’t afford to make many changes. Italy are a poor team and there are big calls to replace them with Georgia, which I agree with. My team is 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Tom Francis, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Josh Navidi, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric.