We have nothing to lose, so it’s time for change, says Holley
andy.howell@walesonline.co.uk
LEADING pundit Sean Holley insists Wales have nothing to lose against England in the Six Nations and called on coach Wayne Pivac to make at least five changes for the Battle of Britain Twickenham showdown.
The former Ospreys and Bristol coach believes popular hooker Ken Owens should be rested with Ryan Elias starting at Twickenham.
He also advocated Leon Brown coming into the front row next to Elias at tighthead prop in place of Dillon Lewis, following the Principality Stadium defeat to championship pace-setters France.
The other changes Holley calls for are in the back division, with Tomos Williams starting at scrum-half in place of Gareth Davies and uncapped teenager Louis Rees-Zammit given a debut on the wing with Josh Adams injured.
With a doubt over the fitness of head injury victim George North, Holley feels Liam Williams should be picked in the backthree if he can prove his readiness with a showing for the Scarlets this weekend following injury.
Holley would also consider a sixth change, bringing the fitagain Owen Watkin into midfield and moving Nick Tompkins to inside-centre at the expense of Hadleigh Parkes.
“We can say the Six Nations is probably gone, so I think it’s a good opportunity, even though it’s England away at their HQ, to have a look at a few players,” he said on WalesOnline’s Gainline Show on Facebook.
“We have got injuries on the wings so let’s have a look at ReesZammit. He wouldn’t fear facing the England players he has been scoring tries against in the English Premiership this season.
“LRZ is young but I think, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. He has proved that in the Premiership.”
The hugely respected commentator on the game continued: “I would probably give Ken a rest. He’s a real warrior for us who runs into walls but let’s have a look at someone like Elias - I don’t know if Elliot Dee is fit - at hooker.
“Dillon Lewis did well in the last two games but I like the look of Brown - he’s done well off the bench.
“I would bring Tomos back at No.9 while Liam may play for the Scarlets this weekend. If he comes through that game okay I would put him back in.
“Should Watkin come back in then Tompkins, who has done a few bad things but some good things as well, could move from No.13 to 12.
“But, to be fair to Parkes, he has gone well. It about whether
Wayne Pivac is looking at this game, the summer tour, next autumn’s internationals or the road to the 2023 World Cup.
“We haven’t been overly successful at Twickenham so it’s a big ask whatever team Pivac picks with England gathering momentum. It’s just whether he wants to pick the likes of the uncapped Rees-Zammit.
“I like what Wayne is trying to do and the way Wales are evolving with more off-loads, but this is an opportunity to tinker a little bit and have a look at things for the future.”