Centre of attention: pundits call for Pivac rethink on in-form Williams
WALES have been urged to look again at the form centre in Wales this season.
Scott Williams gave his advocates more material to argue the case that he should be in Wayne Pivac’s Wales side with another hugely impressive display for the Scarlets at the weekend.
Skippering the West Walians to a stylish 35-10 win over Glasgow Warriors, Williams bossed the midfield as he scored a try, made good decisions and showcased his all-round game.
Two high-profile Welsh pundits were not slow in backing the ultratough Scarlet’s claims to be restored to the Test set-up.
Ahead of kick-off against the Warriors, Sean Holley was asked on Premier Sports why Williams didn’t seem to be part of the Wales midfield conversation.
He replied: “You’re asking the wrong ex-coach. For me, Scott should be playing for Wales.
“He’s everything Wales are missing at the moment – experience, class, physique, kicking game, passing, ingenuity. “He’s been great this season.” Williams started the campaign behind his rivals for a Wales spot having played so little rugby because of injuries over the previous two seasons.
But he has been a model of consistency this term.
He’s won two of the four official man-of-the-match awards dished out to Scarlets players this term and even when others have taken the limelight Williams has been an important figure with the rock-solid stability and direction he brings to the Llanelli-based team’s midfield.
Nick Tompkins is the Wales incumbent at inside centre and he used Saracens’ top-of-the-bill Gallagher Premiership game against Leicester on Saturday to show he has no plans to loosen his grip on the Welsh No. 12 jersey, with Tompkins deservedly claiming the player of the game award.
But ex-Wales centre Tom Shanklin still believes Williams is the better option for Pivac, indicating on social media that Wales’s head coach needs a rethink.
Tompkins has started more Tests in the centre for Pivac than any other player and is set to figure there against France on Friday.