WHAT CARETAKER COACH HOWLEY WOULD GIVE FOR A REPEAT

COACH: ROB HOWLEY: In caretaker mode again with Warren Gatland focusing on the Lions, Howley had to don the tin hat as the flak flew his way during the autumn, even though Wales managed to scrap to three wins out of four. The big question is whether he can flick the switch on Wales’s attacking game. CAPTAIN: ALUN WYN JONES: Takes over the armband from Sam Warburton, as he did for the Lions four years ago. Captain or not, has long been the heartbeat of this Welsh side. One of the finest second rows in the game. KEY MAN: JUSTIN TIPURIC: If Wales are still searching to find their attacking mojo, the multi-skilled Ospreys openside could be the answer. Sensational in the November win over the Springboks. YOUNGSTER TO WATCH: THOMAS YOUNG: The uncapped back-rower has been in irresistible form for Wasps in the Premiership and Europe. Dynamic, pacy, powerful and hungry. STRENGTHS: Experience. The bulk of this side have been together since the 2011 World Cup with many in the 50-plus cap bracket. Wales have spoken about evolving their attacking game, but they remain a physical beast, with muscular runners hitting the gainline hard, backed up by a tenacious back row. If they can get George North, Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies firing, Wales do boast serious threats out wide, they also have two of the sharpest shooters in world rugby when it comes to goal-kicking.

WHAT Rob Howley would give for a repeat of four years ago when he took up caretaker duty and led Wales to a spectacular Championship triumph. Without too many injury worries, Wales will feel they have the quality in the ranks and with title favourites England and Ireland in Cardiff, the draw could be worse.

But Howley has to find a way to avoid his side sleep-walking into the tournament, as they have so often done, particularly with bonus points now at stake. Beat England and they are title contenders.

Are we seeing a changing of the guard in terms of Jamie Roberts having lost his place, Gethin Jenkins sidelined and Sam Warburton relinquishing the captaincy? In Alun Wyn Jones, Wales possess an inspirational leader, but for Howley’s men to be up there again, some big-game animals like George North and Jonathan Davies need to find the form that has eluded them of late. WEAKNESSES: Evolution is taking a bit of time. Wales’s attacking game spluttered throughout November, not helped by some big-name players struggling for form. The Welsh defence — the rock on which the Gatland era has been built — was also found wanting on occasions. KEY INJURIES: The timedefying Gethin Jenkins sits out the tournament because of a bicep injury, while No. 8 Taulupe Faletau is battling back from a knee issue. Ospreys forwards Dan Lydiate and Bradley Davies are long-term absentees. Teenage speedster Keelan Giles will have to wait for his bow because of a damaged hamstring. LAST TIME OUT: Second place was a decent enough showing. Played catch-up after an opening draw with Ireland in Dublin and worked hard to see off Scotland and France in Cardiff, but didn’t wake up until too late at Twickenham. Put a hapless Italy to the sword on the final weekend. ORDER OF GAMES: Italy (Rome), England (Cardiff), Scotland (Edinburgh), Ireland (Cardiff), France (Paris). WHAT THE COACH SAYS: “A good tournament for us would be to play to the best of our ability, to be highly competitive and to have a chance of winning the tournament going into the last weekend.” WHAT MOOD ARE THE FANS IN: It is fair to say expectations aren’t exactly soaring this side of the Severn, but an opening win over Italy should inject some confidence before the showdown against England. LIONS CERTAINTIES: Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Leigh Halfpenny. LIONS HOPEFULS: Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Dan Biggar, Gethin Jenkins, Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Sam Davies. AN OUTSIDE LIONS BOLTER OUT TO WOW GATLAND: SAM DAVIES: The Ospreys fly-half is coming from a way back, but is a game-changer who offers something a bit different. Won’t be overawed by the big stage. DID YOU KNOW? George North has 12 Six Nations tries to his name, having topped the pile with four last season. The tally is more than any other current player in the championship and puts him eighth on the all-time list. North doesn’t turn 25 until April. BOOKIES PREDICTION: Third. Clear water between Wales and the top two. 8-1 is a regular offering on Howley’s men and 16-1 for the Slam. WHAT WE SAY: With England and Ireland in Cardiff, Wales will feel there is opportunity to make the critics munch on their words. Notorious slow-starters, they need to pick up a maximum haul in Rome - the clash with the old enemy could then define their campaign. ROB LLOYD