Parkes and North? Parkes and Adams? Who will Pivac go for at 13?

By Dylan James

JONATHAN Davies’ knee injury against Fiji last year sent ructions throughout the Welsh rugby fan base, with a very particular question brewing, who will start at 13 come February?

Supporters weren’t only concerned about their ambitions to be World champions, but their likelihood of retaining the Six Nations with Davies being ruled out for up to six months. 

Ospreys’ Owen Watkin would be the obvious choice to start at outside centre for the defending champions, but after needing knee surgery in December last year, Watkin was ruled out for up to eight weeks, leaving options pretty scarce in that department. 

Traditional wingers George North and Josh Adams have been the subject of much debate on social media linking them to the centre role and a potential partnership with Hadleigh Parkes. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Preparation for Italy?

Wales wings George North and Josh Adams will play at outside centre this weekend for their regions

👉 https://t.co/9JAeu30meE pic.twitter.com/MU8V9xjYJ1

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 10, 2020

North has started his last two games for the Ospreys in the outside centre position, however, fans aren’t confident he can fill the void left by Jon Davies. 

I agree with – George North is, on current form, barely worth inclusion as a wing. He is not (yet) possessed of the skills set of an international centre. Maybe with more games at 13…

— william s davies (@williamsdavies) January 17, 2020

However, with North boasting 91 caps and four of those in the centre position, Wayne Pivac may have to opt for the Ospreys man in a pairing with Parkes. 

Speaking to the BBC, North explained, ”Obviously I’m a wing, but I played most of my age grade stuff at centre and I have done for Wales a couple of times. ” With North happy to play in the position, it would seem a no brainer, wouldn’t it?

Well that’s not the case, with Cardiff Blues newboy and World Cup superstar Josh Adams on red-hot form, it becomes a split decision between Adams and North at centre. 

The regions have clearly been putting in the groundwork for Wales, with Ospreys starting North in the midfield. The Blues were due to replicate this idea with Adams but opted out of the decision due to a Hallam Amos injury, therefore Adams was required to slot back in on the wing. 

Adams was in the form of his life last year, being in the spotlight during the Grand Slam winning Six Nations team and reaching the World Cup semi finals with Wales, finishing as top scorer. However, this form has all come from the wing, and without a great deal of experience in the 13 role, you would imagine Pivac will opt for North.

Owen Watkin is due to return in time for the France game on February 22nd at the Principality, however his involvement will largely depend on how effective either Adams or North are in the opening two fixtures. 

It will be interesting to see whether the two wingmen will solidify a centre role or whether Watkin will take the jersey back, especially when Wales face up against England at Twickenham on March 7th.