Six Nations: Wales breakdown
Coach: Rob Howley.
Captain: Alun-Wyn Jones.
Old dog: See above.
New face: Dai’s boy, Thomas Young, above. The Wasps flanker has been playing up a storm in the Aviva and Leicester Tigers’ midfielder Owen Williams may make his debut off the bench, possibly as a second five outside Dan Biggar.
Six Nations record: 1st, 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd.
Missing the action: Warren Gatland, obviously, veteran prop Gethin Jenkins and Taulupe Faletau is there or thereabouts but unlikely to play the first game.
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Hide AdReasons to be cheerful: Biggar may be the best kicker from hand in the Six Nations and his half-back partner Rhys Webb has returned from injury in the nick of time.
Chink in the armour: Neither Jon Davies or Jamie Roberts are at their best, dropped by club and country respectively, and there isn’t much quality backing up the back three.
Odds: 13/2
Prediction: 5th