England legend Lawrence Dallaglio says 'world class' flanker Justin Tipuric could well carry the inspiration needed to inspire Wales to Rugby World Cup glory.
Tipuric was a key figure in Sunday's tense quarter-final win over France, with an important turnover in the first-half to keep the French at bay a particular highlight during what was a typically assured performance.
Having racked up 68 caps for his country, the Ospreys star is one of the first name's on Warren Gatland's teamsheet, and was even handed the captaincy in the final pool match with Uruguay.
And, according to 2003 World Cup winner Dallaglio, the 30-year old is likely to have a key role once again as Wales bid to reach the World Cup final for the very first time.
Writing in his a column for The Times , he said: "I have long been an admirer of Tipuric and I am delighted that he has stepped out of Sam Warburton's shadow.
"I'd like to think I know a thing or two about the qualities a flanker needs at international level and he has them all: high workrate, including tackling, great ability over the ball, a target man in the lineout and speed around the park. If you're an England fan and you can bear to watch, check out the highlights from the 30-3 defeat in Cardiff in 2013 and his part in Alex Cuthbert's two tries.
"Then there are the extras which make Tipuric world class - great handling ability and rugby intelligence. As a flanker, you are constantly pushing the law to its limit. It's Tipuric's intelligence that means invariably he stays on the right side of legality.
"If he wore a black jersey rather than a red one more people would be eulogising him."
Meanwhile, Dallaglio also admits that England should be kicking themselves at allowing coaches Shaun Edwards and Paul Stridgeon to slip through their fingers.
Edwards, who had previously looked set to join Wigan Warriors after this tournament, has previously claimed his only "serious offer" from the RFU came just before he became part of the Wales set-up in 2008, while Stridgeon spent six years there as a fitness coach before joining Toulon in 2014.
"I still can't believe that England didn't see fit to employ Edwards and let Stridegon go." he added.
"Our loss is Wales's gain and with these men at the helm, there is no reason why their ultimate gain can't be a World Cup triumph."
Wales take on South Africa in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Yokohama this Sunday.
