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Wales’ considerable fly-half injury list may have grown even larger over the weekend as Dan Biggar sustained a knee injury playing for Northampton Saints.
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The incumbent Welsh fly-half may now have to miss out on his side’s visit to London to take on England on Saturday alongside the already injured Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell.
The Ospreys’ Jarrod Evans looks primed to start at fly-half at Twickenham this weekend, but the position on the bench is up for grabs.
Having been in and around the Wales squad since Wayne Pivac took over after the Rugby World Cup, the Dragons’ Sam Davies is in contention, particularly in light of his resurgence following his summer move from the Ospreys.
I rate Jarrod Evans. Really rate him. If Biggar is out call up the form 10 in Sam Davies to cover bench and give Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans a crack against England. Biggar out is a blow but we've still got quality players
— Ricky Harries (@RickyHarries) March 2, 2020
Sam Davies has to be called up, what else can the guy do? Hasn’t put a foot wrong all season, if he were at any other club he would everyone saying it. Sheedy or Priestland should not be a discussion point until everyone available in Wales is given the chance.
— SteveEdwards (@steveedwardsz) February 29, 2020
However, other players from further afield stand a chance as well, particularly from the Gallagher Premiership. Rhys Priestland’s name has been bandied about over the past week on social media, although his 50 caps makes the Bath man ineligible under Wales’ 60 cap rule.
But it was Priestland’s opponent on Sunday, Callum Sheedy, who has now emerged as a candidate to vie for a place in Wayne Pivac’s 23 after his performance for the Bristol Bears at the Rec.
The 24-year-old Sheedy orchestrated a historic win, and was very efficient with the limited ball that Bristol had. His mesmerising skill for Alapati Leiua’s try was a glimpse of his vision and the danger he poses, and why Pivac will surely have an eye on him.
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If Pivac wants a fly-half to stand in for an injured Dan Biggar, despite all the talk about Priestland getting a call, it's the bloke opposite him looking the better option.
Please, Wayne, persuade Callum Sheedy to wear red.
— Tom Dare (@Repka) March 1, 2020
Interesting that they are discussing Wales' issue at fly half on @btsportrugby and a lot of talk about @bathrugby @Rhys_Priestland being the answer but no mention of @BristolBears @Sheedy95 being an option. Typical. Have a look at the table and the stats lads!
— Patrick Smidmore (@patricksmidmore) March 1, 2020
@bathrugby v @BristolBears. Priestland v sheedy. Little audition for the wales 10 shirt if you ask me?
— Wilfred Griffiths (@ConorGriff_) March 1, 2020
If Biggs is out for #ENGvWAL would it be an over reaction to draft @Sheedy95 onto the bench to cover Jarrod Evans on Saturday? Long term strategic thinking. Think how good both will be in 4yrs time given exposure now. https://t.co/yVHwL35WgI
— Ex Fed Paul Herdman (@DyfedPowysFed) March 1, 2020
The reasons for selecting Sheedy are two-fold, as it will not only alleviate the injury crisis Wales have currently, but it could secure his future.
Having represented Wales, Ireland and England in some capacity during his career so far, Sheedy is eligible to play for any of the three countries, although he is yet to be capped. If he continues to play at the same level he has so far this season, it will not be long before he is a Test player, and Wales could take advantage of this situation they find themselves in and ensure his future is in a red shirt.
Watch: Six Nations £300m paywall deal: ‘We would not rule anything out’.
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Comments on RugbyPass
A very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
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