YES By Nik Simon

THERE are more versatile players than Alun Wyn Jones to fill the bench. I do not see the value in having Jones’s aura on the sidelines. Make him captain and surround him with experienced com-binations that have proven their ability to deliver on the biggest stage.

The midfield is a contentious area, as Chris Harris has been the in-form centre. But Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw have played together for club and country, so offer an oven-ready partnership to handle the heavyweight Springboks midfield.

Gatland needs to find a balance between form and reputation. Duhan van der Merwe and Ali

Price would be unfortunate to miss out, but Luke Cowan-Dickie had made himself hard to overlook. Galtand gambled by selecting all of the Saracens’ contingent off the back of their season in the Championship and, for me, only Maro Itoje is a cert for the Test team.

NIK SIMON’S STARTING XV:

Williams; Adams, Henshaw,

Aki, A Watson; Biggar, Murray; W Jones, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, A W Jones, Lawes, Curry, Faletau.