TWO INTO NINE JUST WON’T GO
Transfer saga comes to an end as Priestland seals switch to Blues
IT’S one of a number of big selection decisions facing Wayne Pivac ahead of the Triple Crown clash with England – who to start at No. 9?
There’s the hugely experienced Gareth Davies, a man with 59 caps and 15 international tries to his name.
Or there’s the rookie Kieran Hardy, who has started just two Tests, but made a positive impact off the bench in the victory over Scotland.
So what are their respective strengths and what makes them tick?
Who better to ask than their coach at the Scarlets, New Zealander Glenn Delaney.
“They are both sparky personalities, for one,” said the Kiwi.
“Half-backs have to be. I think if you are a quiet half-back you are probably in the wrong trade!
“They tend to speak first, ask questions never.
“So you get a both of them.
“If you look at where they have been with us this season, it’s been a little bit similar to what Wales did – 50 minutes for one, 30 minutes the other – because we knew whoever came on was going to give us a lift. lot of energy from
“We certainly saw that with Wales. I thought Kieran came on and added, while Gareth did his job to lead them out.”
Delaney added: “When you look at aspects of their game, there are some similarities.
“Defensively, they are both strong. Gareth is probably a more intuitive defender at this stage.
“Kieran, I think, will point.
“Gareth has really got that X-factor of being able to turn defence into tries.
“If you have got a guy that can deliver that with his decision-making, that’s gold.
“Kieran has made huge strides on his passing game. He has worked incredibly hard with the coaches here on his core skill-sets. So that’s come up to international level now.
“I guess with Wales, 48 minutes for one and 32 minutes for the other clearly says they are about pretty get to that even.
“It’s a great position to be in for us and for Wales, I think.”
Delaney also gave his thoughts on Davies’s decision to kick the ball away with just seconds left on the clock in the Six Nations opener against Ireland.
“Well, if it’s on, it’s on!” he said. “I haven’t gone over the clip well enough, but he must have seen something.
“Look, these things happen don’t they?
“We have made more ever make.
“The attitude here is ‘see it, hit it’. If you see something is on, let’s have a go and we will back you.
“So, for me, if he is putting a grubber in, he has got to have seen something that’s on.
“He scores a try from that, we are all talking about it in a different way.”
Davies made his big breakthrough at the 2015 World Cup, famously touching down in the victory over England at Twickenham, grabbing the opportunity presented by the injury to Rhys Webb. all been mistakes there. I have than he will
Since then, he has made more Test appearances than any other Wales scrum-half by some distance and was first-choice for much of the time during Warren Gatland’s latter years in charge.
But with Wayne Pivac taking up the reins, the No. 9 position has been something of a revolving door, and Davies has found himself sharing the jersey with Tomas Williams, Webb, Lloyd Williams and Hardy.
It was Tomos Williams who got the nod for the Championship opener against Ireland, only to be forced off with a damaged hamstring.
That has seen Lloyd Williams come into the squad, but it looks like a shoot-out between regional colleagues Davies and Hardy for the starting spot against England.
If Hardy receives the call, it would be a big moment for the 25-year-old who has taken something of the long way round, having spent two seasons at Jersey before rejoining the Scarlets for a second spell and impressing with his support play and speed around the park.
It’s now over to Pivac to make the decision.
RHYS Priestland is on his way back to Wales.
The Wales international flyhalf last week sealed a switch to Cardiff Blues.
The move had long been on the cards and the experienced fly-half will move to the Arms Park this summer.
The 50-cap Carmarthen product, whose last Test match came against the All Blacks in 2017, has spent the last six seasons at Bath, establishing himself as a key figure in their ranks.
He has made more than 100 appearances for the West Country giants and scored more than 800 points. Last season he was the top points scorer in the Gallagher Premiership.
Explaining his move to the Blues, Priestland said: “I have loved my time at
Bath. I needed a change of environment and possibly stayed at the Scarlets a year too long, but moving here has been great for me.
“Some of the coaches and players I have had the opportunity to work and play with has been great.
“I have learnt a lot and enjoyed playing in the Premiership.
“However, now is the right time to come back to Wales and I’m really excited about the future at Cardiff.
“They have a really exciting squad with a lot of good young players and some talented young coaches who I know well like Richie Rees, Tom Smith and Dwayne Peel, who will also be joining next season.
“Everyone speaks very highly of Dai and he has achieved some great things in the game as a coach with Cardiff Blues and Wasps, so I’m really looking forward to hopefully working for him.
“There is a lot of potential at Cardiff to kick on and I’m really looking forward to playing my part.
“I still have plenty to give on the pitch and look forward to competing for a starting jersey, but I also hope to pass on my experience in the game.
“I have really enjoyed doing that at Bath and would love to help develop the young players at the Blues while hopefully learning from the likes of Jarrod Evans, who is one of the most talented attacking 10s around.”
Priestland launched his career at the Scarlets, for whom he made 150 appearances before crossing the River Severn.
“It is important to have quality players competing for every position and Rhys will bring further strength and depth to our options in the No. 10 jersey and drive standards,” said interim director of rugby Dai Young (inset).
“He brings an abundance of experience and having worked in the Premiership for so long, I am very aware of the qualities he will bring to Cardiff Blues.
“He is a first-class goal-kicker, with a quality tactical kicking game and is a great distributor, who can run an attacking game while also sound in defence.
“He is experienced, very professional and will relish competing for a starting spot at the Arms Park while helping young players develop their all-round games.”