Wales expect a reaction from George North against Ireland in Cardiff on Friday having given the wing a “warning” after defensive lapses against Scotland.
The Wales defence coach, Shaun Edwards, highlighted the right wing, where North has been playing out of position for his country this season, as defensively suspect and said individual mistakes had been worked on in training.
“When it comes to conceding tries, we have done so usually on our right edge,” said Edwards when asked where the matches against England and Scotland had been lost since Wales opened their Six Nations campaign with victory in Italy. “They were down to individual mistakes, because players didn’t do what they practised in the buildup to the game.
“They decided to do what they wanted and not what the rest of their team-mates expected them to do. Also, when it comes to winning a Test match, you need to score 20 points or more, which we have not done.”
Elliot Daly’s try on England’s left wing in Cardiff won the match for the champions with four minutes to go. North was absent with a dead leg he sustained in Italy but he returned to face Scotland when his opposite wing, Tim Visser, scored the try that sealed victory for the home side.
“George had a very good game against Italy in difficult circumstances,” Edwards said. “He had a bad bang on his leg and toughed it out. He was not at his best against Scotland but great players who have done big things for you in the past sometimes deserve a warning. If he is selected, I expect George to be on his mettle.”
It is not as if Wales are blessed with options on the wing where the other squad members are Alex Cuthbert, who took North’s place against England, and the uncapped Steff Evans. “Steff is one for the future,” Edwards said. “He probably has to work on his aerial kicks a bit.”
Despite languishing in fourth place in the Six Nations table, Wales will not be experimenting against Ireland, deeming victory essential to preserve their place in the top eight-ranked sides before the World Cup group draw in May.
Taulupe Faletau is set to return at No8 after two matches on the bench, with Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric vying to partner Sam Warburton at wing forward, while the second-row Luke Charteris is fit again. If Wales go back to basics, Jamie Roberts will be back at inside-centre.
“We have had great tussles with Ireland over the years and we will be picking our best team,” Edwards said. “Ireland are ranked fourth in the world, they have world-class half-backs and they beat the All Blacks in the autumn. We will have our hands full in defence.”
