Ring: Patchell can plug the Parkes gap in midfield
RHYS Patchell is tipped to be the man to get Wales’ backline moving, but from inside-centre rather than his usual fly-half position.
Head coach Wayne Pivac has been dealt a major blow with first-choice No.12 Hadleigh Parkes agreeing terms on a move to Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. Gloucester playmaker Owen Williams is also heading to the Far East.
It will leave a big void in midfield and former Wales centre Mark Ring believes it presents a golden opportunity for Scarlets star Patchell.
“I think Rhys Patchell could do a job there,” Ringtold TRP. “He’s a good fly-half in his own right and has some physicality about him. Why wouldn’t he be able to get some game time at centre and develop his game there?
“I like the combination of a first and second fiveeighth more than a fly-half and inside centre, where the inside centre is more of a bludgeon to get across the advantage line. I’d like to see someone develop as a No.12 for Wales – someone who can bring physicality and play a bit as well.”
Ring has been impressed with Nick Tompkins at 13 and is in no doubt over who should wear the Wales No.10 shirt – Gareth Anscombe.
The Ospreys fly-half has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in last summer’s World Cup warmup clash with England at Twickenham but Ring believes Anscombe will come back stronger and find the form which helped lead Wales to a Six Nations Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
Ring said: “Tompkins has come on the scene and is in the Brian O’Driscoll mould – he has that explosiveness coming on to the ball in the 13 channel.
“And there is no question about Anscombe’s talent. Just before his injury he was starting to show his best form. In fairness to Dan Biggar, since he’s moved to Northampton there is a bit more about his game and he gives everything.
“But you’d think Anscombe’s the player Pivac would build a side around. Wales will want him back fit as quickly as they possibly can.”
Pivac endured a tough start to his reign as Wales boss with three straight Six Nations defeats. Wales have struggled to get results while adapting to the expansive style of play Pivac and his backs coach Stephen Jones want.
But Ring is confident Pivac will achieve success with Wales in the long run.
He said: “It’s taking a bit of time for everyone to buy into the new regime. Warren Gatland had his own way of playing and he certainly knew how to win.
“But being Welsh there is always something in the back of your mind that wants the team to win with style. Let’s hope they can bring Gatland’s steely edge with a bit of flair as well and if that’s the case I can only see them getting better.”