Wales v Ireland team announcement: Amos and Lydiate both start

5th February 2021 Dylan James Student Work 0
Pic - James Dodd

by Dylan James

AT 12:00 on Friday, Wales announced their team to take on Ireland in Cardiff, as Wayne Pivac gets his second Six Nations tournament underway.ย 

With Josh Adams suspended along with Liam Williams, there is a very different looking team, with Louis Rees-Zammit and Hallam Amos occupying the wing positions.

This means George North has been shifted to outside centre, forming a midfield partnership with international new boy Johnny Williams. Jonathan Davies is ruled out with an injury which will put him out of action until the England fixture on game week three.

Veteran hooker Ken Owens returns to the fold as he his is joined by Tomas Francis and Wyn Jones in the front row.

Making his first appearance since November 2018, hard-tackling blindside flanker Dan Lydiate links up with Justin Tipuric and Toby Faletau in the back row.

Gareth Davies is named on the bench, whilst Cardiff Blues scrum half Tomos Williams starts at nine. International mainstay Dan Biggar completes the half-back pairing.

LYDIATE RETURNS

Boss Wayne Pivac believes that Lydiate is deserving of his call-up, with the Ospreys back-rower executing some consistent and quality performances for his region.

“He is a form player in club rugby. He’s come into the camp and trained very well. He deserves a start in our opinion, he’s going to bring a lot of experience, he’s a hard nosed player and I think that’s what we need in round one.”

Fly-half Dan Biggar was keen to re assure the public that he was pleased to see Lydiate back in the set-up, and that he is fully deserving of his call.

“His form has been excellent. I’ve seen a few bits and pieces from one or two people saying that his form isn’t particularly good, but if you’d been watching some of the games this year, they may have changed their opinion.”

“He’s been the in-form player in the four Welsh regions over the last six months.”

NORTH AT 13

With Jonathan Davies being ruled out with injury, Ospreys winger George North has been shifted into outside centre, a position he actually played in very often at age grade level.

However, North has been performing particularly well from the wing for the Ospreys, so it’s a surprise to see him in the midfield, especially given that centre-by-trade Nick Tompkins is sitting on the bench for this fixture.

On the other hand, Pivac has insisted that North is test-ready to fill Foxy’s boots on Sunday.

“With Jonathan’s injury, it was a very quick decision from us to put George at 13.”

“And the form and confidence that he’s bringing in, obviously George is part of those discussions when we look to change a player from one position to another.”

Despite this decision coming as a shock to Welsh rugby fans, Pivac actually suggested that even if Jon Davies was fit, he may have even opted for North and Davies in midfield.

“It was really going to be how Jon came into the camp, the form that he brought in and how he went in the first two weeks of training. If Jon had gone well, and George is going well, it was very likely we would have gone Jon and George (at centre).”

LOUIS AND HALLAM SPEARHEAD THE FLANKS

With a double suspension in the back line, a 20-year-old Louis Rees Zammit gets his shout at 14, whilst Hallam Amos gets his first start since Wales’ bronze medal defeat against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup. Despite their lack of recent test experience, Pivac believes the duo can make a solid impact.

“With Jon being out, Louis was always starting on one wing, and George at centre. So it’s really the opportunity now for Hallam Amos, he’s obviously been called back into the squad, the team was named without him in it, and within 24 hours he’s starting!”

“This is a good lesson to players about preparation. Both Louis and Hallam are looking forward to this game and it’s a big challenge for both of them.”

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