WALES TEAM NEWS: Halaholo and Botham on bench, Navidi and North injured

MACLEOD MISSES OUT ON START THROUGH RUPTURED ACHILLES TENDON

11th February 2021 Dylan James Rugby 0

by Dylan James

Wayne Pivac has revealed his team to take on Scotland, as Wales look to make it two out of two in Murrayfield on Saturday.ย 

Firstly, Wales’ injury crisis is certainly not improving, having called up Lloyd Williams, Willis Halaholo and James Botham from the Cardiff Blues as cover.

Dragons back-rower Aaron Wainwright comes in for the injured Dan Lydiate at six, with Josh Navidi suffering another injury which has put him out of contention for this fixture.

Scarlet Gareth Davies forms the half-back pairing with Dan Biggar, and will no doubt be looking to regain the respect of the Welsh fans after his less than impressive kick in the dying moments against Ireland, which didn’t exactly thrill his team mates and the supporters at home!

Lloyd Williams has been called in for cover after impressing during the Autumn Nations Cup, with some quite rapid distribution from the breakdown. Rhys Webb has not been considered, Pivac gave his reasoning behind the thinking.

“Rhys talked about not wanting to be a number three, Lloyd is a perfect number three for us.”

It was confirmed that West Walian Josh Macleod was in line for his first start on the blindside, but unfortunately sustained an injury in training. The Scarlet has ruptured his achilles tendon, and is out of action for six months.

Pivac, who actually coached Macleod at Scarlets, is very disappointed for the youngster.

“The most disappointing injury is young Josh Macleod, who missed the last squad through being injured in a club game before coming in.”

“Yesterday, to be named in front of his peers and have them celebrate and give him a pat on the back, to then go out training and come out half an hour later stretchered off. It was not great for him, or any of us.”

Osprey Owen Watkin secures his 26th cap as he completes a midfield partnership with Nick Tompkins. Jamie Roberts was considered for a call-up and Pivac has been in contact with Jamie about the situation.

“We had a good, long chat around Jamie. I have been in touch with Jamie, Jamie has contacted me, we’ve had a discussion and he knows exactly where he sits if we need his services.”

Willis Halaholo is named on the bench for Wales as he prepares to make his first appearance for his nation. Pivac has stated that Halaholo “will get an opportunity from the bench”. The New Zealand-born centre joins the likes of Hadleigh Parkes and Johnny McNicholl in completing his residency ruling which allows him to play for Wales after spending three years in the country.

Halaholo has come under fire for his selection, with some fans questioning his eligibility. However, Pivac has quite brilliantly hit back at these needless suggestions, saying he has a “very exciting skillset”.

“Hadleigh Parkes scored two tries on his debut and everyone was pretty excited about his eligibility.”

“He’s got fantastic feet, he’s got most defenders beaten, he wins the most collisions out of any of the Welsh players in the midfield. He’s just got something that other players don”t have.”

George North is unavailable for selection due to an eye injury so is out of the squad. North’s former team mate Liam Williams comes in on the wing after completing his three match ban. Pivac gave an update on the Osprey man’s return.

“The eye injury he had, he’s over that, so that was pleasing . He’s got a foot injury, hopefully he’ll be right for the England game.”

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