Leigh Halfpenny is back – on the training field, at least. Come the weekend and he might also have played his first match for three months for the Scarlets. So, should he come straight back for Wales against England? Robin Davey weighs up the call – and would leave out George North.
Leigh Halfpenny needs to return for the ferocious challenge from England in what could well be a Grand Slam showdown at the Principality Stadium a week on Saturday.
Halfpenny is just one of a whole host of selection issues facing coach Warren Gatland.
Now that the Scarlets full-back has become available – and has been released to return for his region this weekend in Treviso – what form does the back three take?
Who does Gatland pick at outside-half? Who partners skipper Alun Wyn Jones at lock? Who plays in the back row?
These are just some of the questions Gatland and his coaching team face as the pre-match atmosphere warms up and Wales becomes a hotbed of speculation about the team ahead of the actual clash.
First and foremost is what to do about Halfpenny now that he has been given a clean bill of health following his three-month absence with concussion suffered against Australia back in November.
Should he even be considered against England after being out for so long with such a major problem or should he ease himself back in with a game for the Scarlets against Benetton this weekend?
We have seen Gatland risk these type of selections before. Often, they have paid off, such as the recall for Ross Moriarty for this tournament and before that when Sam Warburton was summoned from the physio room.
But sometimes the returning player has struggled to shake off the rust – Warburton did at times and also George North and Jonathan Davies.
The case for bringing back Halfpenny, though, looks worth any gamble. He is so consistent, reads the game so well, and his goal-kicking might prove the difference between winning and losing.
If Gareth Anscombe holds off the challenge of Dan Biggar at No.10, then we know what Anscombe will bring with ball in hand, but we know, also, his goal-kicking can go awry at times under pressure,
For that reason, Halfpenny appears to be a punt worth taking.
If he also comes through Wales training in top shape and Gatland decides to pick him, where would that be – full back or wing?
The answer to that question would almost certainly be at full back, particularly against the England kicking game where Halfpenny’s defensive qualities are best suited.
If he does play then another question will be, who will make way?
Liam Williams, George North and Josh Adams all have their qualities. Williams is a terrific, intuitive player – sharp on the counter-attack. North is a great finisher, while Adams has been on fire so far in the Six Nations.
For me, North would be most vulnerable for his defence can be suspect and England would be sure to test him down the flank where Jonny May in particular has been supreme. Gatland, though, may stand down Adams.
On to the No.10 jersey where, as ever, a debate rages over who should wear it, an argument about a particular position which goes back decades.
Anscombe started against France but failed to convince with a shaky performance, compounded when he missed a couple of penalties.
Biggar took over against Italy, but didn’t make the most of the opportunity, unable to influence proceedings and failing to stamp his authority on the match.
So we’re back to square one. Will it be Anscombe or Biggar against England? The feeling is the greater flexibility of Anscombe and his ability to open up defences could well win him the vote over the more static Biggar.
Up front there are more questions in all three rows of the pack, in fact.
Front runners at prop are Rob Evans and Tomos Francis, but Nicki Smith and Samson Lee are right up there, making that a difficult choice, too.
And three players are fighting it out to partner the captain at lock -Adam Beard, Cory Hill and Jake Ball. It’s another really tight call.
Beard had appeared to edge ahead of his rivals, but Ball started against Italy after a lengthy absence while Hill was rested after cutting a knee against France.
Each has his strengths, but the greater all-round game of Hill could just edge it in his favour.
The back row is yet another area where a number of players are right in the mix. It appeared Wales would struggle there when Warburton was forced to retire. Taulupe Faletau was then ruled out with a broken arm and now needs a second operation, while James Davies has also been on the injured list.
But it’s been far from a struggle. Aaron Wainwright has come storming through, Josh Navidi has been outstanding and Thomas Young made the most of his opportunity after being called up against Italy.
He will play for Wasps against Bristol on Friday night, hoping to further boost his claims.
Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric are pretty much nailed on so it’s a question of who wins the vote for the No 6 Jersey. With Young essentially an openside it could be a straight fight between Navidi and Wainwright with the greater experience of Navidi possibly edging it.
When all the above questions have been answered, Gatland’s 23 on duty against England could read like this:
Halfpenny, Williams, J Davies, Parkes, Adams, Anscombe, G Davies, Evans, Owens, Francis, A W Jones (captain), Hill, Navidi, Moriarty, Tipuric. Replacements: North, Biggar, T Williams, Smith, Dee, Lee, Beard, Wainwright.
