by James Dodd
HALAHOLO in, Sanjay at 15 and a completely different halfback pairing. The side that SHOULD take the field for Wales in a week and a half’s time.
It certainly hasn’t been pretty at times, but Wales are unbeaten after the opening two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations thanks to tight wins over Ireland and Scotland.
As a result, Wales now have the chance to win the Triple Crown when England come to town in 10 days.
With several players now becoming available again, Wayne Pivac won’t have an easy job deciding who gets the honour of representing their country and who doesn’t.
Here is James Dodd’s starting Wales 15 to try and stay unbeaten.
15: Liam Williams
After an extremely frustrating last few weeks, which saw the 29-year-old given a three-match ban, Williams returned last weekend and impressed.
He set up youngster Louis Rees-Zammit for his first try at the end of the first half, before having the favour returned to him at the start of the second.
With Leigh Halfpenny taking a bang to the head against Scotland, there is huge doubt about whether he will be fit to play, meaning Sanjay will be perfect to slot into the fullback spot.
14: Louis Rees-Zammit
If fit, it looks like ‘Lighting Louis’ will be one of the first men on the Wales team sheet for the rest of the campaign.
His excellent finish in the corner against Ireland and brace against Scotland – I’m sure I don’t have to mention that mesmeric finish – will give the Gloucester player a start potentially against fellow teammate Jonny May.
13: George North
Probably the form back for Wales since being dropped last Autumn, North has been extremely impressive on the wing for the Ospreys – scoring in their most recent fixture away to Connacht.
His finish against Ireland showed how he can also play centre at the top level.
Despite a foot injury, which prevented his trip to Murrayfield, at the moment there is no other player that could take away that 13 jersey.
This is a harsh reality on Owen Watkin, who saved Wales with a last ditch tap tackle on Duhan van der Merwe.
Another player is British and Irish Lion, Jonathan Davies, who has been suffering with an ankle injury. But, underwhelming performances against the Cardiff Blues don’t help his argument to come straight back into the side.
12: Willis Halaholo
It was a pretty surreal week for the Cardiff Blues centre – a midweek call up, followed by a place on the bench, followed by an early appearance in the first half after Halfpenny’s head knock.
His jackal penalty and awareness to create an overlap for Rees-Zammit’s moment of brilliance is just the start of what Halaholo can offer for Wales.
His troubling footwork offers something that no one else can produce in the Welsh midfield. He must start if Wales want to really get their attacking game going.
Awesome to get the win and although I have plenty to work on I’m looking forward to contributing as much as I can to this team.
Much love🙏🏾❤️🏴
Willis— Willis Halaholo (@whalaholo) February 13, 2021
11: Josh Adams
Having served out his two-match suspension for breaking Covid 19 regulations, Adams will be raring to go.
He wasn’t been scoring tries relentlessly in the last year, but he is still a huge threat ball in hand.
Let’s hope we see a repeat of his sensational try against England two years ago in Cardiff!
10: Callum Sheedy
He replaced Dan Biggar early in the second half and seemed to make a difference offensively.
You could argue that Wales played against 14 men for the majority of the second half and inevitably would tire easily, but for me this doesn’t excuse the difference in the shape of the backline.
This may be a risk, but it’s one worth pursuing.
Biggar is an effective finisher, as we saw against England, also two years ago. His composure and experience suits Wales in the last quarter.
9: Kieran Hardy
Similarly to Sheedy, Hardy came on in his respective position after replacing Scarlets teammate Gareth Davies.
Again, there could be some arguments implying that the opposition had weakened, but that’s not convincing.
He upped the tempo and did the basics very well.
This may mean a very inexperienced halfback pairing, but this will really tell us where these players are in their career coming up against a ferocious English defence.
1: Wyn Jones
He was hailed by his Scarlet’s coach, Glenn Delaney, as being the “form loose-head in the Six Nations competition right now”.
His scrummaging has been a real use for the Welsh pack, as well as his excellent maul work.
Not to mention his try for Wales last weekend, only moments after being on the wrong side of Zander Fagerson’s shoulder!
Sausage and mashed up tight-head props – @wynjones2 is the best in the @SixNationsRugby says @scarlets_rugby chief. Report by @james_dodd1
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My “Sausage” Is A Six Nations Sizzler Says Scarlets Chief After Wyn Jones’ Wales Double https://t.co/C2ooOsCDWD via @Dai_Sport_— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) February 16, 2021
2: Ken Owens
‘The Sheriff’ returned to action against Ireland after suffering a shoulder injury in the Pro14 in 2020. The lineout in that game was still pretty wobbly following the Autumn, with the Welsh losing four in total.
However, only one was lost a week later and Owen’s played a pivotal part in the success of the driving maul.
3: Tomos Francis
Another player loving his rugby currently, Francis confirmed his move to the Ospreys from Exeter Chiefs only a few weeks ago.
His 30 tackles so far in the competition really shows how impressive he has been in open play, as well as his scrummaging.
4: Adam Beard
Beard has decreased the stress and worry of the Welsh public in the second row since the injuries to Cory Hill and Jake Ball.
He has stepped up well and who better to partner and learn from than the history maker that is Alun Wyn Jones.
5: Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
We all know what the British and Irish Lion can bring to his team – he has proven it time after time.
In a match where fine margins will be key, his relationship with referee Pascal Gauzere could be pivotal in getting over the winning line.
6: Josh Navidi
Despite being out against Scotland due to a neck injury, if he is fully fit, Navidi now must start with Lydiate out for the rest of the competition.
The Cardiff back rower made 22 tackles against Ireland, something that might need to be repeated come the 27th February.
7: Justin Tipuric
A brilliant 29 tackles against Ireland – the best one of them all being on Gary Ringrose during the last moments of the match.
His cover defence, pace and skill offer Pivac and Wales a forward that would happily play with the backs.
8: Taulupe Faletau
Last but certainly not least, Bath player Taulupe Faletau.
He started against both Ireland and Scotland, and there’s no reason why his stability and effectiveness at the back of the scrum won’t be needed again.