Now Pivac must build with some new faces

AS SIX Nations champions, Wales must not let their standards slip this summer. Facing Canada and Argentina in Cardiff in July is a priceless opportunity for Wayne Pivac to build on what has been a fine year and plan ahead for the 2023 World Cup.

- SHANE WILLIAMS

There are a number of players I’d like to see given a first taste of international rugby in the months to come but the vital thing for me is that Wales keep building on the momentum they have generated. The last thing Wayne will want is a defeat against the Pumas.

Wales have had a lot of success on their last two summer tours in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, as is the same this year, Wales were without their leading players who were with the British & Irish Lions. A young Wales side beat Tonga and Samoa with players like Wyn Jones making their debuts – look where Wyn is now having been selected for the Lions.

It just goes to show how important these development tours are. That was again shown in 2018 when Wales beat South Africa in Washington and Argentina twice with their Lions from the previous year resting at home.

Wayne will be without ten of his best players this summer, but for me it’s vital he marries some experience with youth for the July games. That’s why guys like Jonathan Davies, Josh Navidi, Cory Hill and Tomas Francis will be so important.

Those four players will all be disappointed not to be on the Lions tour, but they will have a vital role to play for Wales instead.

I would make Jon captain. I think he is the obvious choice with Alun Wyn Jones away leading the Lions and players like Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric in South Africa too.

Jon is a hugely experienced player and already a leader in the Wales set-up. He has captained the side before so knows what he is doing. My view is he is exactly the sort of figure the younger players who will be coming into the set-up for the first time can learn from.