I WAS delighted to see some of the new names in the Wales squad this week, but it’s a more familiar face who I’m looking forward to seeing most against Scotland a week on Saturday.
The selection of in-form players James Davies and Josh Adams is to be applauded. Warren Gatland’s squad needs freshening up and these two will certainly do that because they deserve a chance to make the step up to international level and show what they can do.
Wales have some cards up their sleeve which they can play in this Six Nations and that’s an exciting place to be. But, for me, the key to our tournament hopes is Justin Tipuric.
Of course one player can’t carry the hopes of a nation and Wales are far from a one-man team, but I can’t wait to see Justin in action over the next few weeks for a few reasons. The first of which is that he’s now fully fit. Justin struggled in the autumn with injuries and we barely saw him in action.
Now, it’s different. Justin is back and firing on all cylinders and he’s been playing for an Ospreys team which has found its form in recent weeks, especially in Europe. That will give him plenty of confidence.
I think the way Justin plays the game is perfect for Wales’ new style of play. We’ve talked till we’re blue in the face about Warren’s change of approach and the switch to a wider, more attacking game. There were certainly positives to take from the autumn in that regard, though there were a few sticking points in terms of the interaction between backs and forwards.
Esta historia es de la edición January 21, 2018 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 21, 2018 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.