The in-form Welsh rugby named in the Six Nations
WAYNE Pivac is expected to name his Wales squad for his first Six Nations in charge in just three weeks time.
The former Scarlets boss has been out and about assessing the form of players.
The Guinness PRO14 derbies between the Dragons and Scarlets and Ospreys and Cardiff Blues were disappointing with the wet weather being a dampener but there was still some decent individual performances.
And, across the border in England’s Gallagher Premiership, two promising Welsh players sizzled.
Ahead of today’s second round of derbies we look at the fringe players in form right now.
SAM DAVIES
THE outside-half put over a snap drop-goal in thelast play of the game to secure a 22-20 victory for the Dragons over the Scarlets at a rain-lashed Rodney Parade.
His general play and tactical kicking game were a perfect recipe for dealing with the greasy and tricky conditions as he took the sting out of the Scarlets by repeatedly turning them.
Davies hasn’t been capped for more than two years, although he did make a replacement appearance in the uncapped Barbarians match last month.
Things didn’t go entirely to plan for him against the invitation team but his confidence is growing as he plays a key role in bossing the Dragons in matches.
Barring mishaps, Dan Biggar is certain to be in Pivac’s squad for the Six Nations opener with Italy and Jarrod Evans would have nailed down a place with his display against the Barbarians.
There’s room for a third No.10 and you expect 26-year-old Davies to be that man.
RHODRI WILLIAMS
The scrum-half had a riveting duel with Wales’ World Cup first-choice Gareth Davies as he formed a seamless half-back partnership against the Scarlets with Sam Davies.
Williams, who has signed a two-year contract extension with the Dragons region in the wake of that victory, and Davies were the on-field generals and driving forces behind Wales reaching the final of the 2013 Under-20 World Championship.
They clearly enjoy playing together and seem able to take the pressure off each other with their understanding.
The razor-sharp Williams, who signed at new deal at Rodney Parade this week, pounced for the try that sparked Dragons’ comeback after spotting an opening around the side of a ruck.
Pivac is sure to name three scrum-halves for Wales’ defence of the European title and three-times capped Williams, 26, is mounting a strong case for inclusion alongside Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams.
LEON BROWN
Take a bow Olivier Azam. Scrummaging was a major issue for Brown and the Dragons until the former France hooker was brought in by the Gwent region’s director of rugby Dean Ryan on a part-time basis as a specialist coach.
Azam, who was a cult figure while a player with Gloucester and lives in Cheltenham, has had a remarkable impact on 23-year-old prop Brown and other front-rowers at the Dragons in a short period of time with his technical expertise.
His work has given them the platform for half-backs Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies to dictate.
Wales have problems at tight-head, with World Cup first-choice Tomas Francis out of at least the start of the
Six Nations with a serious shoulder injury and Dillon Lewis battling to recover from hamstring trouble.
The No.3 jersey to face Italy on February 1 in Cardiff appears to be wide open and form in the remainder of the festive derbies could be a determining factor.
KIERON ASSIRATTI
Another young tighthead prop – he’s a year younger than Brown at 22 – who’s coming on nicely.
Cardiff Blues are using him as a substitute and he’s certainly making an impact off the bench with his growing reputation as a scrummager.
It can be argued their scrum improves when he comes on, as it did in Pau and against the Ospreys, and I’d love to see him start for his region.
If club-mate Lewis fails to make the start of the Six Nations, Assiratti could yet be summoned by Pivac and his scrum doctor Jonathan Humphreys.
ASHTON HEWITT
Welsh rugby’s fastest player,