Keys to number ten and ... what fans are asking
now he’s fit? - Gary Davies, Swansea OSPREYS fans will probably say hands off! They are short on wingers at the moment with Eli Walker, Jeff Hassler and Tom Grabham are all injured and they have some big games coming up.
But Wales are one down on wingers themselves with Ashton Hewitt having gone back to the Dragons to recover from concussion and Giles certainly has the credentials to fill the vacancy.
He lit up the autumn with his tryscoring exploits, touching down 11 times in nine regional outings and really should have been given his first taste of Test action against Japan, rather than being left to twiddle his thumbs on the bench.
He would have been included in the original Six Nations squad but for a hamstring injury and he would certainly be the next cab off the rank if Wales do want to add a wing.
But if they don’t realistically see him being involved in any of the remaining Championship matches, then let him get some more gametime under his belt for the Ospreys. What does Jamie Roberts offer Wales from the bench? Shouldn’t this be an ideal opportunity to blood Owen Williams/Ashley Beck who can offer far more creatively in our midfield? - Paul, Cardiff ROBERTS has been a fantastic servant of Wales during his 88-cap career and won’t ever let his country down if called into action off the bench.
But clearly he only covers the one position and there could be a case for having a more versatile player as the outside back on the bench, be it Owen Williams or Steff Evans.
Both of those are in the squad, whereas Ashley Beck isn’t, but I would certainly like to see Beck included in the party for the summer Tests against Samoa and Tonga.
He has put his injuries behind him and has been a class act in the centre for the Ospreys this season, earning praise from no less a judge than Brian O’Driscoll. How good are Scotland, Simon? Who do you think will win? - Simon Jones, Cowbridge SCOTLAND have made real strides under canny Kiwi Vern Cotter, who has got them playing to their strengths, which revolves around tigerish loose forwards delivering quick ball for their talented backs.
They are playing with width and real ambition and it’s great to see them re-emerging as a real force in the Championship.
In the likes of Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Tommy Seymour they have real quality behind, with Russell a real box of tricks at fly-half and Hogg an exceptional strike runner from full-back, while centre Alex Dunbar is one of the most underrated players in the game.
Hamish Watson has excelled on the openside, earning the plaudits of Warren Gatland, with the Scarlets’ John Barclay such a pro and so reliable right across the back row.
However, they do have major issues in the set-scrum and their injury list is mounting, with skipper Greig Laidlaw and No 8 Josh Strauss having joined WP Nel on the casualty list, while Barclay is 50-50 after taking a bang to the head in Paris.
It’s going to be a close contest and Wales will have to be right on the money with their defence out wide, but it they can really get on top in the tight, then I see them squeezing through by a score. How many Welshman do you think will go on the lions tour? - David, Tewksbury YOU are probably talking nine or ten Welshmen making the Lions tour of New Zealand this summer.
I would expect to see the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Davies, George North, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny make the plane, while Ken Owens has to be in with a good shout given his lineout accuracy and ball-carrying in the opening two matches.
But obviously what happens over the final three rounds of Championship games will have a big bearing on selection. Would you start Sam Davies despite Biggar’s excellent performance against England? Is this his best shot of a start this six nations? - Dylan, Swansea I am a big admirer of Davies and like the way he takes the ball to the line, committing defenders and making things happen, either by putting people into space or running there himself.
But I don’t think you can drop Biggar after what I agree was an excellent performance against England. With people questioning his position in the team, he delivered the perfect response and his experience and controlling influence will be key up in Murrayfield.