KEV KICKS OFF

THIS Friday we face Ireland in a massive challenge at the Principality Stadium. Morale has been really low after the performance in Edinburgh. Lots of ex-players and pundits want Rob Howley to make changes. Sam Davies and Steff Evans are the big talking points in the backs and Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau will look to start. I honestly don’t think there will be too many changes in the backline but we need to play a more expansive game. We have got nothing to lose now but Rugby World Cup rankings are important.

Last Sunday, I went to Sardis Road to watch the final trial for Wales U18s. It’s lucky they had a 4G pitch because conditions were horrendous. To be fair, it wasn’t a bad game – a lot of dropped balls due to a wet and greasy ball. The young scrum half I coach Aron Hemmings of the Scarlets academy had a good game and I thought Gary Refell’s boy Tommy (Leicester academy) was outstanding and hopefully a few more local boys will get the call-up on Tuesday afternoon to take on France a week on Sunday.

It wasn’t a good weekend for our regions. Three of them got stuffed – Blues, Scarlets and Dragons. I have got to say some of the tackling from the Scarlets and Dragons was embarrassing. I would drop those players and put youngsters in who will be hungry. Ospreys ground out a hard-fought win against Edinburgh.

It’s great to see a shock in the National Cup. RGC1404 beat holders Llandovery to reach the semifinals while Merthyr beat Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd saw off Carmathen Quins and Cross Keys battled past Pontypool. QUESTION: Do you think Rob Howley will start with Dan Biggar at 10?

Yes, I do – especially against Ireland. They need a physical 10 because the Irish back row will come down that channel all night!

My team would be: 15 Liam Williams 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Jonathan Davies 12 Scott Williams 11 George North 10 Dan Biggar 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Rob Evans 2 Ken Owen 3 Samson Lee 4 Alun Wyn Jones 5 Luke Charteris 6 Ross Moriarty 7 Sam Warburton 8 Taulupe Faletau.