Patchell’s happy if he’sWales’ centre of attention

IT’S almost four years since Rhys Patchell last played in the centre, but if that’s the role he’s asked to fill for Wales this autumn he won’t need a second invitation.

Warren Gatland is set to go down the dual playmaking route at 10/12 for this campaign, mirroring the tactic he employed by pairing Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell together on the Lions tour.

And he’s made it clear that all four outside-halves in his squad – Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Owen Williams and Patchell – are being considered as options for the inside centre birth.

By preference, Patchell is very much a 10 and that’s one of the main reasons he moved to the Scarlets from Cardiff Blues, where he was vying with Gareth Anscombe for the berth and finding himself shifted to full-back.

It’s a switch that has paid off, with the 24-year-old helping his new team claim the PRO12 title last season and his sustained good form earning him a call-up for this autumnal squad.

Yet for Wales, his caps have tended to come elsewhere, as a replacement centre in Japan in 2013 and a starting full-back in New Zealand in 2016.

And now he finds himself namechecked by both Gatland and Rob Howley as a potential 12 for the coming campaign.

It’s a number he hasn’t worn on his back since filling in there for the injury-hit Blues in a Heineken Cup tie away to Glasgow in December 2013.

But whatever the next few weeks brings, the eloquent Cardiffian is ready to go with the positional flow.

“I have been quite clear on my stance (about wanting to play 10),” he said.

“But I suppose the needs of the team come before whatever ambition you have personally.

“We have got a lot of good ball players in and around those positions and I am sure anybody who is picked will be thrilled to be asked to do a job, whatever jersey that job may entail.

“I assume I have been picked as a 10 on the basis that’s all I’ve played since the start of last season.

“But if Warren Gatland or Rob Howley say would you be willing to have a crack at playing 12 for us, then that’s not something you turn down.

“If that’s how it pans out, then that’s how it pans out.”

Whatever part he ends up playing this autumn, Patchell is firmly in favour of the attack-minded, ballin-hand approach which a dual playmaking approach points to.

“Warren has talked to us as a squad about getting our heads up and having a scan and, if it’s on, then have a crack,” he said.

“If we pass poorly then, that’s on us. But if it’s on, it’s on. That’s something everyone has to buy into.

“And the boys seem excited about the way we are going to play, excited about shifting the ball about and having a crack at the opposition.

“I think the way the game has gone means there’s a lot more attacking opportunities. The ball is easier to hold on to now with the way the laws have gone.”