Halfpenny will need to dominate the skies
IT WILL take a very good team indeed to beat Ireland in Dublin – but Wales can do it, so long as they freshen things up for Saturday’s trip to the Aviva. That’s what I’d do, if I were Warren Gatland. It’s a must-win game for Wales if they are to keep their Six Nations hopes alive and the team will back themselves to maintain their good recent record against Ireland. Why shouldn’t we do likewise? I definitely think Wales can win and if they do, it will make for a fascinating few weeks.
Wales need to take a never-say-die attitude into Saturday’s game because there is so much to play for. We can expect a couple of changes from the defeat to England, both in the backs.
In my opinion a couple of new faces will really light up this Wales team and I’d bring both Leigh Halfpenny and George North back into the starting XV. Both are world-class.
The continuity and style Wales have shown in the tournament so far has been very positive. We’ve looked dangerous with ball in hand and even though we perhaps didn’t play enough rugby against England – especially in the first hour – we defended and tackled superbly. We put in one hell of an effort with so many players out and have to build on that against Ireland.
George and Leigh can take Wales to the next level.
I’d start George ahead of Josh Adams. Josh has been excellent in his first two games of international rugby. He’s looked at home on the big stage and doesn’t deserve to be dropped. But at the same time, I don’t think you can ignore George.
He looked really lively when he came off the bench against England. In the 24 minutes he had at Twickenham, George was jinking, stepping, and getting involved all over the field.
He looked to me like he was determined to prove a point and after a few games for Northampton, a cameo with Wales and a full week of training, I think he’ll be ready to fire.
George is a big game player and Ireland are the sort of opposition where his power, experience and international know-how will come to the fore. For me he starts on the right wing with Leigh at full-back and Steffan Evans completing the back three.
I’m sure there are some people reading this and asking about Liam Williams. We all know how good a player he is, but I think it’s too soon to rush him back to the big stage. I know Liam has had a few games for Saracens and I’m sure he’ll be itching to play, but in my view it’s a bit too soon, especially after an abdominal injury. Liam would make my bench in Dublin.
George and Leigh will bring plenty of sparkle to Wales’ attacking game, but one of the other reasons I’d select them both is in defence. Against England, Wales lost the kicking and aerial battle comfortably. Leigh was a big miss there after being ruled out injured, but after speaking to him this week and learning he’s over the worst of his foot problem, we need him to dominate the skies.
At Twickenham, we didn’t do that. Wales kicked poorly and didn’t compete well enough and it allowed Mike Brown to have an absolute field day. There’s no doubt Ireland will try the same tactic.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are two of the best kicking half-backs in the world and I’m sure they will target Wales with pin-point kicks all day, especially if it’s another wet afternoon.
Leigh is one of the best full-backs in the world and we missed his positioning against England. His knowledge of where to be and when is absolutely critical, something which most fans don’t notice or give him enough credit for until he’s not there.
With Leigh and George returning to the side, I’d keep Rhys Patchell at flyhalf. Rhys took a lot of heat from Eddie Jones in the build-up to the England game, but on the whole I thought he did OK. He certainly didn’t do enough to be dropped in my view.
I know Gareth Anscombe did well at 10 when he moved up from full-back, but for me Rhys still starts in Dublin. Warren placed faith in him in the first two games and should do so again.
He’ll certainly have a battle on his hands against Sexton, but my greatest fear would be if Wales played too much rugby against Ireland.
I’d worry that if Anscombe was at 10 – and this is no criticism of him as an individual – Wales might fall into that trap. Rhys provides a nice balance between a kicking and running game and he will have to edge his duel with Sexton if Wales are to come out on top. There are a series of intriguing headto-heads which Wales must win. Gareth Davies against Murray in particular.
Conor is one of the best all-round 9s in the world. I know that’s the status Gareth wants to reach and he will go a long way to doing so if he can go toe-totoe with Conor.
Elsewhere, I think the front row battle will be fascinating. Tadhg Furlong against Rob Evans and Rory Best against Ken Owens should give plenty of intrigue, as will Keith Earls’ duel with Steffan. I think Earls is very underrated. He’s someone I played with on the 2009 Lions tour and he’s a dangerous runner. He’s one of a number of Irish threats, but Wales must nullify them.
If they don’t, their Six Nations hopes are over for another year.
“Adams has been excellent but you can’t ignore North he looked lively at Twickenham”