Davies starts, but what of the other ins and outs after Pivac picks his line-up?

WOODY Allen once claimed he failed to make the school chess team because of his height.

It’s hard to imagine what Wayne Pivac told the likes of Owen Watkin and Willis Halaholo after they were left out of the Wales side to face England. The two players each came up with key moments in the win over Scotland, without which Pivac’s team would not be playing for a Triple Crown on Saturday.

But no matter.

The selectors have made their calls and will stand or fall by them.

So will Wales’ silverware hopes. MARK ORDERS assesses the reasons for the decisions...

The big call on Jonathan Davies

UNDER normal circumstances this would have been an easy call.

Davies has vast experience, after all, and is a player who has been there, done that, handled the pressure, earned the plaudits and taken home the medals.

If he’s fit and firing, he starts. Every time.

But selection is rarely that straightforward.

Complicating matters is that injuries have left Davies short of form and rugby to the point where some might view the 32-year-old selection’s for a Triple Crown game as a gamble.

It’s not an easy one to pass judgement on, then.

But Pivac and his fellow selectors would have seen the Scarlet performing in training over the past 10 days. They’ll have had access to the data that will tell them whether he’s as sharp as he should be.

As much as anyone, ex-Scarlets coach Pivac will know the west Walian can be a special player, a midfield organiser of the highest quality who thinks his way through games and makes few mistakes.

It’s a decision some will have doubts over, but if it works it could be key for Wales.

North wins 100th cap

THE assumption is North’s selection came first in the Welsh midfield.

The big man has performed strongly in his last two outings as a centre for Wales, scoring tries against Italy and Ireland.

With his pace and power he adds an attacking threat from No. 13.

But what was quietly impressive about North against Ireland was his defence.

The outside centre role is one of the most difficult to play -- Scott Williams once spoke of the large space that has to be covered, with opponents flying coming around at high speeds and different angles -and the assumption is the challenge would have been greater for North, a converted wing.

But he missed just once tackle out of 10 and played with impressive authority.

Cases could have been made for any one of Johnny Williams, Owen Watkin, Willis Halaholo and Nick Tompkins to partner him in the centre, but the selectors went for Jonathan Davies.

Pivac will feel happy with his choice.

Adams returns from suspension

HIS ban for breaching Covid regulations served out, it’s a case of straight back into the starting line-up for Josh Adams.

The Cardiff Blue will want to end a try drought at Test level which has seen him go seven games for Wales without scoring over the past 12 months. It happens.

Adams had previously posted 13 touchdowns in 15 outings for his country, including seven at the World Cup. That he is a player who knows his way to the line is not in doubt.

He can do more, too – much more – with the 25-year-old a solid defender and a player who will take the ball forward for his side. He can also come up with game-changing moments – recall the line-break that released Tomos Williams against France in Paris in 2019 and sparked an against-the-odds comeback win. No Josh Adams, probably no Grand Slam that year.

His selection means Wales field a back-three with genuine strike power.

Liam Williams to full-back

THIS one always looked likely from the moment Leigh Halfpenny failed a head injury assessment during the Scotland game.

Wales will miss Halfpenny for the assurance he offers as a goal-kicker and in general play.

But Williams is no slouch as a defender and brings a running threat from deep.

It also works with him as last line of defence.

Indeed, Wales have won 15 of their last 16 matches with him as full-back.

His challenge, as always, will be to counter at the right time.

But England will be wary of the game-breaking Scarlet.

The half-back mix

AMID the concerns over Halfpenny, Dan Biggar always seemed set to continue in the starting XV. Callum Sheedy may have done well off the bench at Murrayfield, but Biggar is a proven goalkicker at Test level and coaches tend to sleep better at nights knowing they have one of those at their disposal.

Biggar will know, though, that he’ll need to make more impact than he managed against Scotland.

At scrum-half, Wales have opted for Kieran Hardy ahead of Gareth Davies. It’s another big selection. Davies has 59 caps in the bank; while he hasn’t been on top of his game, he has previously delivered at Test level. But this time he’s on the bench, with Pivac believing the quick and skilful Hardy deserves his chance.

Scrum-half has been a problem for the New Zealander since he started as Wales coach, with no player occupying the No. 9 shirt for more than two games in a row.

Can the three-cap Hardy, heading into the biggest game of his career so far, make the most of his opportunity? Pivac will hope the answer is in the affirmative.

Nav man finds way back

IT’S a golden opportunity for Josh Navidi to play his way into Lions contention for the tour to South Africa, assuming it goes ahead. Injury has knocked him back in the reckoning, but when he’s fit and firing there are few better flankers in the northern hemisphere. A big display against England would not go unnoticed by Lions boss Warren Gatland, a long time fan.

Not that the Cardiff Blue will be thinking of anything other than doing his best for Wales this weekend. That’s the way he is: a players’ player who always puts his team first.

Wales are stronger for having him in their side.