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Josh Navidi called into Wales squad as Pivac drops Autumn hero

Josh Navidi (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Head coach Wayne Pivac has called Josh Navidi into the Wales squad after the flanker spent over six months on the international sideline.

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Navidi made a successful return from injury to start for Cardiff over the weekend and has been called straight back into the team.

Pivac has apparently dropped Autumn Nation Series hero Ellis Jenkins, who has been ‘released’ to tour South Africa.

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Le French Rugby Podcast – Episode 19

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Le French Rugby Podcast – Episode 19

An WRU statement reads: “Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby) has been called up to the Wales senior men’s squad for the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations. Ellis Jenkins has been released to join Cardiff Rugby for their upcoming fixtures in South Africa.”

Navidi was injured on the Lions tour despite playing a relatively marginal role for the touring side.

It seems like a tremendously harsh call on his Cardiff teammate Jenkins, who is being sent to South Africa on URC duty.

Jenkins was one of Wales’ standout players during the Autumn Nations series, even captaining the side against Australia, but he hasn’t featured at all during the Guinness Six Nations despite being fit.

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In the Autumn, Pivac described Jenkins as ‘a leading player for us going forward’.

“Ellis has certainly got leadership qualities, we know that. He has the ability to captain a side, but the first thing you need to do to do that is be a number one starter, so the big thing for him at the moment is to keep on building on his short return to the game.

“Where we are with the lack of leadership and captaincy experience lends itself to him taking the side this week. Certainly, we don’t think it’s going to hamper his game.

“He is an experienced player, he understands the game and he makes good decisions. He is a good communicator, good with referees and asks good questions.

“He has been, and will be again, a leading player for Wales moving forwards. It’s just time now in the saddle for him in his position back on the park.”

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Navidi’s return is a second personnel boost ahead of France. Last week Alun Wyn Jones joined the camp to continue his shoulder injury rehabilitation. Wales captain Jones is expected to miss the full Six Nations due to the shoulder problem picked up in the autumn fixtures.

But the British and Irish Lions lock’s presence will doubtless give Wayne Pivac’s squad a lift in the extended build-up to facing France on Friday, March 11.

Wales sit fifth in the table after three matches, following Saturday’s 23-19 defeat by England.

– additional reporting PA

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

You want a lot of things that will never happen. You describe rugby League. You should go and watch that then. Rugby is supposed to be competitive. It's the opposition team that should figure out how to defend and turn it into an attack on the fly. The Boks play within the rules. Everyone says that kick off should have been a penalty. The law state that from a kick off it's a scrum. It's confusing as with mauls and rucks, the player has to be behind the kicker. The same does not hold true for kick offs. That law they can change, because the same rule should apply across the board for players to be behind the kicker. It's not the first time that the infield lineout has been used, only the first time in an international match. If I remember correctly, the Barbarians used it against England in 2021 or 2022 (under correction). It's also been used in SR during the 2000’s. There is just this big hoo haw because the Boks did it. If it was another team like the Irish or England or the French or someone, it would be innovative, genius and brilliant. The dummy the AB's did where a player broke to the right, acting like he had the ball, meanwhile the scrumhalfs ran down the sideline and scored. I don't hear you cry about that. That can be seen as cynical play and there is even a case for unsportsmanlike behaviour and at a minimum a yellow card. Yet there is silence from you about that. I on the other hand thought that was a great tactic. It's also not a new invention, but an old one. You only love rugby when it suits you. I don't care what new tactics teams use, or whoever the team is that is doing it. Every new invention or tactic or play that the coaches comes up with is great for rugby. It keeps it interesting. There is no law that prevents other coaches using the same tactics or create their own. It's up to coaches to come up with defense strategies to cut that down, and even retaliate against it. The game is never boring. It keeps evolving. People keep talking about rugby and all these things is what draw new fans. They don't want boring. They want innovative and fun. They want to hear the crash of bodies. They want to see the strength of the scrums. They want to see the speed, agility and flair of the players. The amazing passes and jukes or side steps. The only reason you are so up in arms is because the Boks did it and now you want it banned. The same rhyme over and over. Matt Williams wannabe. Nah, you don't love rugby or else you would enjoy the most exciting era yet in this lovely sport. Stars in so many national teams has never been more abundant nor was there so many teams that could beat each other on any given day. Not to even mention watching an era of the most controversial but most innovative and clever coach ever. A dynasty that's to last for a very long time even after he retires. Like him or hate him, his genius is undeniable and he is recognised world wide as the best coach in most countries by fans and pundits alike, even if they don't like him. Stop the hate and rather enjoy what's to come.

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