Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Tom Shanklin calls for Dan Biggar to be replaced and says Gatland must change things

Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin has called for Owen Williams to start at fly-half against Scotland next weekend in a much-changed Wales side.

After the chastening defeat to Ireland on Saturday, Warren Gatland's side head to Murrayfield to face a confident Scotland fresh from another Calcutta Cup triumph. And Shanklin believes that, given the nature of the performance in the 34-10 defeat to Andy Farrell's side, Gatland will need to make some big changes - including bringing in Williams for fly-half mainstay Dan Biggar.

"I think there'll be a few (changes)," he said on Scrum V. "There has to be a few.

SIGN UP: Get the latest exclusive stories and breaking rugby headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter

"There'll obviously be a second-row change, with Alun Wyn out. It's good to have a look at either Dafydd Jenkins or Rhys Davies.

"Maybe one of the back-row as well. I don't think the Jac Morgan/Justin Tipuric combination worked. I think we need a big carrier in the back-row at six.

"Maybe Tshiunza or Wainwright and move Morgan to seven. Faletau will stay at No. 8.

"Maybe we give Owen Williams a go at 10. He's played a massive factor in the Ospreys' turnaround. You think about some of the big games they've won against Montpellier and Leicester.

"I think when he came on, he challenged the line a little differently to Dan Biggar. His first option is to go forward. He's a running threat, which attracts defenders. There has to be a few changes."

Win a Wales rugby shirt for the Six Nations below. You can also access it here.

While that would appear to be the general consensus, Shanklin's former midfield partner Jamie Roberts expects Gatland to stick with largely the same side. That was a familiar trait of his first spell, where he would back a beaten side to respond the following week.

"A little part of me thinks Warren might back that same team again going to Murrayfield," said Roberts. "A little part of me thinks he'll do that and go 'right guys, this is last-chance saloon'.

"If they lose up in Murrayfield, there has to be changes. If they lose next weekend, they can't win the tournament and it has to be about the World Cup and growing that next pool of players. But they're still in the tournament."

READ NEXT:

Sunday rugby news as Wales warned about huge psychological blow ahead of Scotland clash and Gatland considers changes

The unheard conversations as players pleaded with each other for more

Sam Warburton 'really surprised' by Gatland substitution as England legend says game was no real contest

The reasons Wales were blown away by Ireland amid errors, indiscipline and frail defence

Wales v Ireland player ratings as key men struggle on Gatland's return

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.