Back-row balance may tip the scales in favour of Wales

WALES have named their team for tomorrow’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France and it sees them revert to the XV that started the opening two group games against Georgia and Australia.

Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS explains the thinking behind this selection, as four key men are passed fit for the lasteight clash in Oita...

THE BACK-ROW BALANCE

It’s a team that pretty much picked itself once everyone was available, but the one area there was some public debate over was the breakaway bunch.

That’s been the case pretty much throughout this World Cup campaign, which is really a testament to the strength in depth in the back row, even in the absence of the sidelined Taulupe Faletau and Ellis Jenkins.

Six different players have been utilised there so far, but in essence it was down to perming three from four for this quarter-final tie.

And, as in the opening group games against Georgia and Australia, it’s Ross Moriarty who misses out, with Aaron Wainwright, Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric linking up once again.

There would no doubt have been some discussion over starting with Moriarty, who put in a big performance against France in the Six Nations and has shown glimpses of his Grand Slam self out in Japan.

But, ultimately, it’s the three men who have performed best of late who get the nod, in a reflection not only of form but also balance.

It’s a triumvirate that works well together, with their respective strengths complimenting each other and ticking the required boxes.

You’ve got the youthful dynamism of Wainwright who has responded to the coaches’ call for him to get his hands on the ball more with some explosive carrying against Australia and Fiji, while still maintaining his high work-rate in defence.

Then there’s Navidi, who delivers right across the board. He’s been the top carrier among the forwards, second only to Alun Wyn Jones in the tackle count and a key cog at the breakdown with his clearing out and spoiling. He’s now back at No 8.

And, finally, you’ve got Tipuric, who was the pick of the Welsh team in the opening two games. Playing alongside Navidi seems to bring the best out of him, with the dreadlocked Blues man doing the nitty-gritty work that frees Tipuric up to do damage in the wider channels, with his support play and handling ability.

You’ve also got plenty of crucial line-out capability in Wainwright and Tipuric, who have been primary sources of possession in the warm-up games and out here.

So the bottom line is, the combination works and then, on top of that, you’ve got Moriarty straining at the leash to add an abrasive edge off the bench.

A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

It’s all a very different story from four years ago when Wales were ravaged by injuries by the time they reached the quarter-finals.

There was a fear that history might repeat itself, with Dan Biggar (head knock), Jonathan Davies (knee), George North (ankle) and Hadleigh Parkes (shoulder) all doubts following the pool campaign.

But, happily, they have all come through this week and been given the great light to start against France.

Biggar has picked up two head injuries during this tournament, the most recent a double whack sustained in a sickening collision with team-mate Liam Williams against Fiji that left him concussed.

As such, Wales have made a point of stressing the rigorous protocols that have been observed ahead of the Northampton pivot being cleared to play.

His care has included MRI scanning and two consultations with a globally renowned independent concussion consultant from Australia.

He has remained symptom-free since the Fiji game and all the return-to-play protocols have been met, with his imaging being normal, and, according to Gatland, he has been fit to play for three or four days now.

There was actually more of a doubt over centre Davies, whose knee swelled up after he took a bang in creating the decisive try for Josh Adams in the comeback victory over the Fijians.

He has been heavily strapped up at times in training, but he has come through, taking a full part in the sessions on Wednesday and today, and is now ready to resume his duties at No 13.

That’s a huge plus for Wales, not just for the threat he poses with his trademark fending breaks, but also the defensive organisation he brings, plus his experience and leadership.

His midfield colleague Parkes sat out training on Wednesday after taking a blow to the shoulder against Uruguay and he’s certainly been in the wars out in Japan, breaking a bone in his hand during the Georgian opener.

But, like Davies, he’s ready to go on Sunday, enabling the tried and tested partnership of the past year or so to link up once again.

And there’s positive news too over North, a man who has something of the Indian sign over France, having scored two tries in Paris earlier this year, to add to three previous touchdowns against them.

CARRE BY NAME ....

Going into the final few minutes against Uruguay, a fair few folk might still have been wondering just why Warren Gatland had taken a punt on Rhys Carre in his World Cup squad.

After all, the 21-year-old prop is the rawest of rookies, having only started three games of regional rugby for Cardiff Blues.

Not that many people had actually seen him play up until this summer and his Test debut against Ireland in August was steady rather than spectacular, while he was a spectator for the first three-and-a-half games out in Japan.

But, four minutes from time against Uruguay, he announced himself on the world stage, bursting through in jaw-dropping fashion to send Hallam Amos away to the corner. We won’t mention the finish.