Watch out for these head-to-heads as Welsh rugby makes its return to action
AFTER an absence of five months, rugby returns in Wales this weekend and we are in store for some fascinating battles.
While all four regions will want to lay down a marker, it will also be an opportunity for individuals to put their hands up for Wales selection with a hectic autumn schedule lying ahead.
Here are some of the key duels to look forward to over the next couple of weeks...
GARETH DAVIES V TOMOS WILLIAMS
It’s been a real see-saw contest between these two for the Wales No 9 jersey over the past year or so.
Now they are set to go head to head in the first game of rugby in this country since March, with Davies’ Scarlets playing host to Williams’ Blues on Saturday afternoon.
Their contrasting strengths make for an intriguing encounter.
Davies, who has just turned 30, is such a force of nature and a devastating runner in space, while Williams is a side-stepping box of tricks, with the skills of a former basketball player.
There is, of course, a third scrumhalf very much in the international mix, with Rhys Webb having returned to Wales.
He will make his comeback for the Ospreys this month and that could well see him lining up against Williams on August 30.
It’s worth remembering that the livewire Webb was chosen to start against Scotland in March prior to that fixture being postponed, so he will want to retain his place in the pecking order with his performances over the next couple of weeks.
JOHNNY MCNICHOLL V JOSH ADAMS
These two were Wales wing partners when the Six Nations got under way back in February, now they resume rugby duties in opposition as the Scarlets host Cardiff Blues on Saturday afternoon.
McNicholl will want to re-establish his claims having lost his starting spot during the Championship, while fellow try machine Adams is happily back fit after ankle surgery.
RHYS PATCHELL V JARROD EVANS
Patchell hasn’t played since damaging his shoulder at the World Cup in Japan, so it will be great to see him back out there again.
If he goes up against Evans at Parc y Scarlets this Saturday, it will provide an immediate opportunity to see which home-based fly-half is likely to lead the way in pushing Northampton’s Dan Biggar for the Wales No 10 jersey.
JAKE BALL V CORY HILL
After seven years at the Dragons, Hill is back with the Blues who released him in 2013. He’s had a tough time on the injury front over the past 18 months, so he will want to put that behind him as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.
That chapter begins this weekend via a collision with Ball, who has been his long-standing rival to partner Alun Wyn Jones in the Wales second row.
The big, bearded Ball is also seeking a fresh start, having undergone surgery after damaging his AC shoulder joint against England in March.
SAMSON LEE V RHYS CARRE
Tight-head Lee has made only three appearances for Wales in the last two years, having prevously been first choice.
But the Scarlets new scrum coach, Kiwi World Cup winner Ben Franks, has vowed to help him get back up to international level.
There’s a timely chance for Lee to show the early fruits of Franks’ tutelage when he packs down against current Welsh squad prop Carre this Saturday.
The strong-running Carre is back on board with the Blues after returning from Saracens.
GEORGE NORTH V JONAH HOLMES
It will be a first taste of regional rugby for Holmes this weekend following his move from Leicester to the Dragons.
That could see him up against one of the men he has to get past if he wants to force his way into the Wales shake-up, with the vastly-experienced 95-cap North ready to wing his way back into action for the Ospreys behind closed doors at the Liberty Stadium.
JOSH NAVIDI V JUSTIN TIPURIC
The second round of derby matches sees a clash between two men who could well line up together for Wales in the autumn, with Navidi’s Blues up against Tipuric’s Ospreys.
With the law adjustments at the breakdown the jackaller now has a few more rights to the ball, while the speed of play seems to be increasing.
As such, selecting two opensides in the back row now becomes all the more tempting, while Navidi also has the physicality to undertake all the hod-carrying work of a blindside. He could, of course, occupy any backrow berth for the Blues when they run out at their temporary home of Rodney Parade on August 30.
But wherever he packs down, you are likely to see him engaged in a few titanic tussels with Tipuric over the ball, as well as in open play.
ELLIOT DEE V KEN OWENS
Having figured in no fewer than 16 Tests during 2019, Dragons hooker Dee was then a spectator during the Six Nations due to rib and calf problems. But he’s now fully fit again and the second round of derbies will