Pivac will be hoping his troops avoid injury
WAYNE Pivac will be watching from behind the sofa this weekend with 10 of his Six Nations squad in action for their domestic sides.
The Wales boss will be hoping all his players come through unscathed as he looks towards France’s visit to the Principality Stadium a week Saturday.
During fallow weeks of the Six Nations, Wales players who are based in England must return to their parent clubs and be available for selection.
Pivac is under no obligation to release players back to the Welsh regions. However, he did decide to release seven players to get game time.
Owen Watkin will start at outside centre for the Ospreys against Ulster as he returns from a knee injury. A good performance could see him force his way into the Wales reckoning after Nick Tompkins’ difficult day at No.13 in Dublin.
Elsewhere, Adam Beard will start at second row for the Ospreys. Young hooker Dewi Lake, who was also released by Wales, has not been selected.
Aaron Shingler has gone straight into the Scarlets’ side to face Edinburgh in Llanelli and will start at blindside flanker, loose-head prop Rob Evans is on the bench.
Second row Seb Davies has been selected on the bench for the Cardiff Blues’ trip away to face Connacht.
Taine Basham was also released by Wales but he won’t see any action this weekend after the Dragons’ game against Benetton was postponed.
As for the England-based contingent, Rhys Carre and WillGriff John will be scrummaging against each other at Allianz Park today having been named to start for Saracens and Sale Sharks respectively.
No.8 Taulupe Faletau is on the bench for Bath’s trip to face Worcester as he continues to clock up the minutes having recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Leicester Tigers winger Jonah Holmes starts on the wing against Wasps this weekend.
The uncapped Will Rowlands will be on the opposing team, starting at second row.
Meanwhile Louis Rees-Zammit was all set to start on the wing for Gloucester last night against Exeter Chiefs.