WALES LINE-UP FOR AGAINST
start, but if Samson Lee is fit Gatland may want to give him a run-out to assess him ahead of South Africa.
Dillon Lewis is firmly in the selection mix but having started against Scotland and done well as a replacement on Saturday, you’d expect him to have a breather. will be busting a gut to send a message to Gatland that he’s the man to face the Boks.
Wretched luck with injuries has meant the Scarlets enforcer hasn’t played international rugby for a year, and given he’s not been re-introduced as yet this series he could well get the nod here.
It goes without sating that Alun Wyn Jones will have his feet up this weekend.
As for Ball, he had re-established himself as a firstchoice lock before he dislocated his shoulder against New Zealand last November. He’ll see this as a launchpad for sure. the summer for the 21-year-old Dragons back-rower.
He therefore falls into the category of those who need to know what it’s like to start a Test match.
It’s been Dan Lydiate’s jersey thus far, and his combative style may well come in handy against the Tongans.
More likely though is that Lydiate will be rested.
The Blues man has been touted as a future Wales captain but is an example of how quickly fortunes can change.
Jenkins is still cemented in the squad, but after coming into camp with an injury he has only featured as a sub against the Aussies.
He’s therefore ripe for a start – just as Justin Tipuric is ripe for a rest – and it’s hardly a gamble because Jenkins has shown he can cut it at this level.
That said, he has his work cut out to break up the back row that faced Australia.
Moriarty could do with a weekend off but Gatland’s options at No. 8 are limited and so he may well be pressed into action here.
That is unless the management decide to bring in someone like Josh Navidi who was originally on the injured list.
They’ve said they could well do that during the series and so if it is decided that Moriarty should be kept back, don’t be surprised to see Navidi – provided he is fully fit – or even possibly Seb Davies.