Tipuric holds key to Wales success
“Tipuric can take Wales to the next level - he’s perfect man to be the link player in this team”
IWAS delighted to see some of the new names in the Wales squad this week, but it’s a more familiar face who I’m looking forward to seeing most against Scotland a week on Saturday. The selection of in-form players James Davies and Josh Adams is to be applauded. Warren Gatland’s squad needs freshening up and these two will certainly do that because they deserve a chance to make the step up to international level and show what they can do.
Wales have some cards up their sleeve which they can play in this Six Nations and that’s an exciting place to be. But, for me, the key to our tournament hopes is Justin Tipuric.
Of course one player can’t carry the hopes of a nation and Wales are far from a one-man team, but I can’t wait to see Justin in action over the next few weeks for a few reasons. The first of which is that he’s now fully fit. Justin struggled in the autumn with injuries and we barely saw him in action. Now, it’s different. Justin is back and firing on all cylinders and he’s been playing for an Ospreys team which has found its form in recent weeks, especially in Europe. That will give him plenty of confidence.
I think the way Justin plays the game is perfect for Wales’ new style of play. We’ve talked till we’re blue in the face about Warren’s change of approach and the switch to a wider, more attacking game. There were certainly positives to take from the autumn in that regard, though there were a few sticking points in terms of the interaction between backs and forwards.
That’s to be expected when you change your approach because it won’t all happen overnight.
Now, though, I think Justin can help take Wales to the next level and he’d be one of the first names on my team sheet for the Six Nations opener. He’s the perfect man to be the link player in this team.
I played with Justin at the Ospreys and with Wales and he’s just the complete footballer. He used to pop up in the backline all the time. When a forward does that, it normally drives you mental as a back! But if you saw Justin outside you, you’d be just as happy as if it were someone like Jonathan Davies. That’s how good he is and I’m certain he could play centre because his handling is up there with some of the best backs I’ve worked with.
Combine that with his fitness and breakdown work and it makes him one hell of a player.
I’m sure we’ll see Justin thrive at No.7 in the next few weeks and, while I’m not Warren, I’d select him over Josh Navidi in that position for the Scotland game. It would be incredibly harsh on Josh who was superb for Wales in the autumn, but I think a combination of Justin and Aaron Shingler on the flanks with Ross Moriarty at No.8 has a nice balance about it.
I’m sure Josh will be among the replacements at the very least because he can play right across the back row and Warren will want cover there because of Ross’ recent lack of game time. Then there is also the option of James Davies to consider if Wales really want to go for broke.
While I’ve had my say on the backrow conundrum, the other big decision I’d make would be to play Liam Williams at full-back and have Leigh Halfpenny on the bench, for the first game of the tournament at least. My back three would be Liam at 15 with George North and Steffan Evans on the wings. George hasn’t had much rugby and has been injured, but I was delighted to read this week he’s back in training with Northampton.
Alongside Steffan, Wales have two hugely dangerous wings who can finish for fun and I’d also pick Owen and Scott Williams in midfield to bring the best out of them.
Hadleigh Parkes had a stormer of a debut against South Africa in December, but I think when you give someone like Owen a chance as Wales did at the start of the autumn, you have to keep faith with him. The other big selection point for Warren to consider is at lock.
As captain Alun Wyn Jones is an automatic pick, the question is who plays alongside him with Jake Ball out injured? Cory Hill has established himself in the squad and Seb Davies and Adam Beard are promising youngsters, but I think Bradley Davies’ selection in the squad speaks volumes.
I’m certain Warren wouldn’t pick someone of Bradley’s experience if he wasn’t going to make immediate use of him. Bradley is hugely experienced and, like Justin, has been going well with the Ospreys. Warren knows he’s a player he can rely on and can deliver on the big stage.
I’m not sure we’ll see Bradley for the whole tournament, but I’d have a decent bet on him starting against Scotland. It’s a game Wales must and should win and I think they’ll do that, but only just.
The Six Nations is around the corner and like you I’m sure, I can’t wait!