Vote of confidence, but is Howley’s selection a missed opportunity?
SHAUN Edwards let the cat out of the bag when he predicted Wales wouldn’t make any changes for their Six Nations finale with France in Paris.
And, sure enough, caretaker coach Rob Howley stuck to his guns when he brought forward his team announcement by 24 hours.
Some will see it as a wasted opportunity, with Wales already guaranteed of being in the top eight of the global rankings for the draw for the 2019 World Cup.
Rugby Correspondent ANDY HOWELL analyses Howley’s selection and the key issues it raises... Sam Davies Wales have missed a golden opportunity to blood Sam Davies from the off for what will be a true test against physical and dangerous opponents.
He could have started for the first time at No.10 with Dan Biggar providing insurance on the bench.
I can’t understand why Howley didn’t experiment because Wales are unable to lift the Six Nations title and it could have been beneficial further down the road.
Wales famously fielded six new caps in Paris in 1975, with debutmaking forward Graham Price scoring a sensational 75m try, which is still shown regularly on television.
Davies facing France from the off may have provided the answer to its capability with him pulling the strings. Taulupe Faletau If there was one player you didn’t want to be missing from the Wales team at the start of the season it would have been ‘Mr Indispensable’.
Faletau has been Wales’ most consistent peformer, a true world star, since breaking into Warren Gatland’s team six years ago.
He didn’t face a challenge for the No.8 jersey for years and was seemingly indestructible but, lo and behold, Faletau was struck down by a knee problem just as Ross Moriarty was emerging.
And Moriarty has done such a grand job that Faletau, who is still battling his way back to full fitness, has been playing a limited role off the bench and hasn’t hardened his case to be in the Lions squad for the end-of-season tour of New Zealand.
So, his place could rest on his reputation – but the competition is hot, with Billy Vunipola, Jamie Heaslip and CJ Stander all capable of packing down against the All Blacks at No.8. Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny Howley could have twisted and put Williams to full-back and Halfpenny to wing, but choose to stick.
Some feel Wales would be more dangerous with the ability of Williams to break the first line of defence when running the ball back from No.15.
There’s also a school of thought Halfpenny’s best position is wing, where he started international rugby and used to run in tries.
But Howley likes the reliability, positioning play, kicking out of hand and solid work of Halfpenny at the back.
Hardly anybody made a fuss of it, but he made a brilliant catch of Rhys Webb’s long pass, straightened and passed at the right time to send George North over for the opening try during last weekend’s triumph over Ireland.
What Wales could do more often, and Williams and Halfpenny would have to take the lead on the pitch, is swap positions more during matches and depending on situations where their strengths can be best utilised. Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams There’s hot competition for the Lions centre berths, with England’s Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Te’o and Elliot Daly, Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose and Jared Payne, and Scotland’s Huw Jones all in the mix.
Lions coach Gatland is a huge fan of Davies and his controversial selection of him ahead of Brian O’Driscoll for the deciding third Test with Australia four years ago was vindicated by his performance and the result.
Davies was sensational during that tour and could seal the deal for another trip by shining in France.
Williams hasn’t attracted many headlines this Six Nations, but he’s been quietly efficient with his astute pass putting Liam Williams over in Scotland and rarely missing a beat in defence.
If he can glue the Welsh backline together against the dangerous French as Wales seek to increase their incredible record at the Stade de France to six victories in 10 attempts, he could make the aeroplane Down Under with the Lions. Alun Wyn Jones Competition is so hot for the lock berths with the Lions that may prevent any of them being named tour captain.
However, Jones, after overcoming leadership blips against England and Scotland, is a serious contender.
Wales engineering victory over France would help his cause no end because it would surprise many if Gatland plumps for England’s back-to-back Six Nations winning captain Dylan Hartley as his Lions skipper on form grounds, with the hooker having been out of touch and lightweight this season.