Andy Powell has made a bold claim by declaring Wales should omit Justin Tipuric from their starting line-up for the Six Nations clash against Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday.
He would also pick Callum Sheedy at fly-half.
The former Wales No. 8 believes the loose-forward trio should be made up of Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau for the date with Andy Farrell’s side.
He would use Tipuric off the bench.
The Lion from 2009 favours such a pick as he reckons it would help combat Ireland’s back-row physicality.
Powell said on Twitter: "Let’s hope Pivac picks players on form not on what they have done in the past!! Back row I’d go for Faletau, Lydiate and Navidi. And pick Sheedy at 10 we got nothing to lose.
"Tipuric is a class player but lacks that physicality which you need against the Irish back row. Bring him on in the second half when it opens up.
"Navidi is a big team player. I understand he has been out for a while but what he brings is that explosive power and so good over the ball.
"Bring Tips on in the second half."
It’s fair to say Powell’s call didn’t command total acclaim, with plenty pointing out that Tipuric has been on top of his game of late while Navidi has barely played.
Indeed, concussion issues have restricted the much-respected Cardiff Blue to just 25 minutes of rugby all season.
Tipuric, meanwhile, has guided the Ospreys to wins over Cardiff Blues and Connacht and was outstanding in his last outing for Wales, against Italy at Parc y Scarlets.
There’s a decisive call in the back three, too, from Powell, with the 24-cap player insisting Louis Rees-Zammit can’t be left out of the Wales XV.
"Zammit should be first on the team-sheet in my eyes," Powell said.
Rees-Zammit does have a lot of backing to feature on the wing, but the teenager faces hot competition from Josh Adams and George North, who has been playing some of his best rugby.
Dan Biggar has also been on form at No. 10, excelling for Northampton Saints in their wins over Worcester Warriors and Gloucester.
Were Pivac to leave either him or Tipuric out, it would be a major surprise.
