THE XV WALES SHOULD PUT OUT IN ENGLAND RETURN:
WARREN Gatland is using Wales’ warmup matches with England as a dummy run for the World Cup.
There’s a six-day turnaround between last weekend’s 33-19 disappointment at Twickenham and Saturday’s clash at the Principality Stadium.
That replicates the fixture schedule at the World Cup which sees Wales take on a resurgent Australia on the back of facing Georgia in Pool D.
Coach Gatland plans on picking his best available team against Georgia and the Wallabies.
So he went into Wales’ four preparation matches intent on being “fullyloaded” for the back-to-back fixtures with England.
But should he stick with that policy following the injuries which have put Gareth Anscombe and Taulupe Faletau out of the World Cup equation?
In light of those significant blows, ANDY HOWELL picks the team he’d like to face England
15 LIAM WILLIAMS
THERE’S an argument for wrapping him in cotton wool. but Wales, for confidence reasons, could do with a win against England so must pick a strikerunner who can make things happen.
14 LEIGH HALFPENNY
LIAM Williams is nailed on as a starter in the back-three for the World Cup, but should room be made for the goal-kicking expertise of Halfpenny following the knee injury suffered by Anscombe?
The maestro requires minutes in the middle following an injury-ruined last campaign, so I’d have him in my side this weekend in the position where he made his name – wing rather than at full-back.
13 JONATHAN DAVIES
IS perhaps the best attacking centre in the game and it would be a massive setback if anything happened to him.
Davies missed the 2015 World Cup through a knee injury, but is Wales’ midfield rapier and has to line up again after giving England major problems at Twickenham.
12 HADLEIGH PARKES
THE Kiwi seemed a little rusty at Twickenham with England’s array of decoy runners making defensive duties for him difficult at inside-centre.
He tends to find his rhythm the more he plays and, depending on who is picked at outside-half, will be a significant voice.
11 JOSH ADAMS
GEORGE North showed he’s in good form, so I’d give him a rest and switch Adams, who worked so well with Jonathan Davies in the Six Nations, back to the left-wing in an effort to rekindle that partnership in attack.
10 RHYS PATCHELL
THIS is the most difficult call of the lot because Gatland, if he intends to start with Dan Biggar at the World Cup following the loss of playmaker Anscombe, probably has to pick the ‘Governor.’
However, I’d be inclined to give Patchell, who was so impressive as an attacking orchestrator in back-to-back wins in Argentina last summer, a chance to exorcise the ghosts of his appearance against England at Twickenham in the 2018 Six Nations.
Patchell’s form evaporated last season following a concussion and hamstring trouble so he needs to be tested to discover if his confidence has returned to enable him to be picked in Gatland’s World Cup squad.
A real bolter would be to give talented rookie Jarrod Evans a start against England and hope he flourishes, as Rhys Priestland did when thrown in at the deep end before the 2011 World Cup.
9 TOMOS WILLIAMS
I’M not sure if he will be fit after taking a knock to a shoulder in training last Friday but, if deemed ready, I’d go with him.
Everybody knows what Gareth Davies can and can’t do, and Wales must have credible alternative with Rhys Webb’s exile deeming him off-limits.
1 NICKY SMITH
ROB Evans wasn’t considered for last weekend because of “shoulder and neck irritation” and I certainly wouldn’t risk him if there’s any doubt because he, in my opinion, is a key player.
Wales’ scrum lost traction at Twickenham and I’d offer Smith the chance to redeem himself.
2 ELLIOT DEE
‘CANNONBALL’ Ken Owens is clearly first choice, but I wonder how Wales would fare without him.
I’d like to see Dee, who is a quick and skilled footballer, fronting up at hooker in a starting front-row with his work at the scrum and lineout under scrutiny from the off.
3 TOMAS FRANCIS
SAMSON Lee is, for the umpteenth time, suffering more hamstring woe while Dillon Lewis is work in progress at the scrum.
So I don’t see an alternative to sticking with Francis, who will want to prove a point in the rematch with England.
4 ADAM BEARD
SUFFERED his first defeat in a Wales jersey, but I thought he was a plus, being Wales’ best source of possession at the lineout and a disruptive influence at opposition mauls.
Provided he’s over the wrist injury which forced him off, I’d again start with the youngster at lock.
5 CORY HILL
AN ankle problem may prevent his participation but, if passed fit, I’d start Hill because I’m interested to see how Wales would cope without captain Alun Wyn Jones.
They did, admirably, with Hill and Beard to the fore against South Africa and Argentina in June last year, and with the necessity of Wales needing to look after Jones in the lead-up to Japan.
6 JOSH NAVIDI
HE’S Mr Consistency for region and country, just going about his business, and it’s only when’s he’s missing you realise how important he is with his strength mauling and over the ball.
Navidi has had a hamstring flutter but, if he is able to train well this week, I’d select him with the fit-again Aaron Shingler again on the bench.
7 JAMES DAVIES
HERE’S my forward bolter, man of the match in both Tests in Argentina but hardly seen at any level last season because of a variety of injuries.
I wouldn’t risk Justin Tipuric, who rolled an ankle last weekend, while Aaron Wainwright had a full shift.
An option would be to start with Shingler at six and Navidi at seven, but I’m inclined to give X-factor flanker Davies, if recovered from back trouble, a chance to stake his claim.
8 ROSS MORIARTY
IS a player who thrives on the big occasion and seemed a bit flat at Twickenham.
He’s the sort who responds to pressure and Wales need a stoked-up Moriarty on Saturday afternoon with the ball in his hands, running hard and taking the game to England.