The Wales squad for the autumn internationals will be announced on Tuesday 21st October, giving players just one more weekend to show Warren Gatland what they can do.
Much of the starting XV picks itself as the Welsh set up is very settled around a core group of players. However, there are a few positions still up for debate; scrum half and fullback particularly have been discussed through social media many times in the last week.
Scrum half is the most interesting of these discussions as it is a clear decision between Mike Phillips and Rhys Webb. As Welsh rugby fans will know, Gatland has his ‘favourites’ and Phillips is clearly one of these men. Even when his club form has been poor, he has been selected for Wales and often justified his selection.
However, so often in the past he has not had a serious competitor, but Rhys Webb gives him just that. The Ospreys scrum half has put in a string of scintillating performances in the early weeks of the season, and is the Pro12’s top try scorer with five already.
Something that has been particularly impressive has been his partnership with Dan Biggar, the pair have played together for a long time and the understanding is clear to see. The understanding in their partnership has lifted both their performances to another level.
These partnerships and links are key in rugby, centres, the front row, the back row, and arguably most important the half-backs. The half backs control the game and successful pairings have always had a strong relationship.
The great Gareth Edwards and Barry John played for Cardiff and Wales together, developing their partnership over many years. In modern times, just look at how good Will Genia and Quade Cooper can be when they get it right, the pair have played since academy days, through into the Queensland Reds and onto the Wallabies. They know each other’s game better than anyone else.
Had Gareth Davies still been fit, his combination with Priestland would be well worth considering also. Yet, as it stands the only strong half-back combination in Wales is Webb and Biggar, and it needs to be used.
As good a player as Mike Phillips has been for Wales, he is now playing in France and coming to the end of his career. He does not have the same link with a Welsh outside half that Webb does. This is in part because he has remained a constant, as outside halves have chopped and changed around him.
Many will also point out that Webb’s quicker service will allow Biggar to get the backline moving in a far more efficient way. Wales have to start using their big runners far more in games, too often Cuthbert and North have been left stranded on the wings. Webb could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Webb and Biggar are the form half-backs in the Pro12 at the moment. They deserve to take that form onto the field for Wales this autumn. After all, this is the last chance Warren Gatland has to experiment before the World Cup.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @EllisLane3. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LWOSWorld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
