Wales may need a change of approach at inside centre as evidence mounts that the current selection strategy is not working. Since Steve Tandy took over as head coach, Wales have shown encouraging progress in parts of their performances, but several areas remain in need of significant improvement.
The need for greater carrying power among the forwards is well established, but scrutiny has centred on attack, particularly attack coach Matt Sherratt's decision to deploy a second playmaker at inside centre. Sherratt places huge emphasis on attacking shape and has brought more intent to the side, giving every player a clear understanding of their role while allowing them the freedom to react to what is in front of them.
Mixed results for second playmakers
Many former players and coaches have argued that Wales cannot afford the luxury of a second playmaker at No 12. Both Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas wore the jersey last season, with mixed results. Wales lacked incision in midfield and, at times, the physicality needed to break the gain line. That has been made more difficult by a pack which spent long periods on the back foot, leaving the midfield without the front-foot ball needed to impose itself.
Eddie James has been used at outside centre and has offered glimpses of his considerable potential. But there is a growing argument that Wales may be wasting one of their most dynamic midfielders by deploying him at outside centre. The Scarlets have struggled in the opening two rounds of the United Rugby Championship, but James has been a standout performer despite the defeats. At 6ft 4in and around 17st, he is an imposing physical presence. In defeats by Cardiff and the Dragons, he repeatedly made significant post-contact metres, carrying with the power to break the gain line. He also possesses neat footwork and an ability to keep the ball alive with a well-timed offload.
Former players back James at 12
Wales would be better served by deploying James at No 12, where his ability to get over the gain line could create space for the outside backs. He is far from a one-dimensional ball carrier, having played at outside-half in his younger days. There is also 6ft 4in Harlequins centre Bryn Bradley, included in Wales' training squad in the summer. The 23-year-old is an explosive and powerful carrier with a good offloading game, though he is currently playing in a struggling Harlequins team.
"The centre partnership probably hasn't fired as we hoped it would after the promise shown at the end of the Six Nations," said former Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies on Scrum V The Warm Up in July. "There were a few missed tackles and there have been gaps in defence. Teams have been able to gain ground on us quite easily. Eddie's best position is 12 and he has ball-playing ability that he hasn't shown a lot of in his first few caps for Wales."
In his WalesOnline column during the Six Nations, Wales great Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies was also of the opinion James should be employed at 12. "I would consider changing the midfield," he wrote. "Personally I don't think a ball playing 12 like Joe Hawkins or Ben Thomas has worked for Wales just because they haven't won the gainline. I'd like to see Eddie James start at 12 because he is such a powerful carrier and can get us over the gainline. In the long-run I think a centre partnership of James at 12 and Louie Hennessey at 13 could be the best way to go. Hennessey is an excellent running threat with explosive pace and an excellent offloading game."
Former Wales outside-half Gareth Anscombe has also previously mentioned the need to go for power at 12. "Matt Sherratt likes that second ball-player at 12," said Anscombe, also on Scrum V The Warm Up in July. "At the moment Wales are lacking a bit of go-forward. It's nice to run connected shape and it can look good in training, but at the minute the attack is struggling to get forward and is spending a lot of time zig-zagging between the 15-metre lines. If you are not winning the middle part of the field and getting gain line, those edges on the side never open up."
World Cup pressure mounts
Almost all of the leading nations employ a No 12 capable of winning the gain line. South Africa are a prime example, with Damian de Allende and André Esterhuizen both used extensively at inside centre, offering physicality and post-contact metres. Ireland have used Bundee Aki at No 12 for years, while Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey can fulfil a similar role. Italy have Ignacio Brex, Scotland have Sione Tuipulotu, France have Yoram Moefana, Jordie Barrett provides a similar option for the All Blacks, and Australia have Hunter Paisami. All are multi-faceted midfielders whose first responsibility is to win the gain line.
That is the type of No 12 Wales need at this moment. Creativity and distribution are important, but the priority must be someone who can consistently get over the gain line and put the defence on the back foot. So far, Wales have largely stuck with Hawkins and James in midfield in the hope of building cohesion, but that patience cannot continue indefinitely. With the Rugby World Cup in Australia on the horizon, Tandy must sooner or later accept that a change of approach is required both in the way Wales attack and in the centre combinations he chooses to deploy. That should start this autumn.
