Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin has questioned the decision to drop Louis Rees-Zammit to the bench for this weekend's Test against Argentina, suggesting it may be a tactic to motivate the winger. Rees-Zammit, who was replaced after 55 minutes against Fiji, has gone six successive Tests without scoring – his longest drought in a Wales shirt.
Wales defence coach Steve Tandy has favoured Ellis Mee on the wing, citing a niggle Rees-Zammit carried last week. Shanklin, speaking on Scrum V, said: "I think Ellis Mee came off the bench and looked really good. I also thought Blair Murray was very good at 15. So maybe it's that combination with those two. Look, Louis Rees-Zammit is X-factor. He's the most X-factor player that we've got. You can't all of a sudden then not have him."
Beard's Bounce Back from Six Nations Setback
Adam Beard has admitted his performance against France during the Six Nations "wasn't good enough" after being dropped following a nightmare display that included a failed kick attempt leading directly to a French try. The 31-year-old lock, who will win his 67th Wales cap against Japan on Saturday, regained his starting place after Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Reflecting on that difficult period, Beard said: "The start of the Six Nations was not great for myself probably, especially that France performance. That wasn't good enough for myself and it was a couple of costly mistakes that I wasn't proud of but sometimes that is sport and you don't always get the performances you want to."
Wales head coach Steve Tandy praised Beard's resilience: "I thought it was one of his best games for us last weekend. The response shows what Beardy is as a bloke. The way he responded the day after the France defeat, and the way he was with the group helping the opposition boys get us prepared, was brilliant. His drive to get back on the team has been outstanding."
O'Gara in Frame for Leinster Job
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys has confirmed that Ronan O'Gara will be on the shortlist to replace Leo Cullen at Leinster, with Cullen leaving at the end of next season. O'Gara's contract with La Rochelle also expires next summer, and Humphreys revealed he spoke with the former Ireland fly-half when La Rochelle lost to Ulster in the Challenge Cup earlier this year.
"I met Rog two or three months ago when La Rochelle were in Belfast, and we talked about where his coaching ambitions were," said Humphreys. "He's done what so many good coaches have done — he has gone, he has left Ireland, he has got experience throughout the world, he's been successful. So, of course, I would say he'll be a candidate for every job that comes up in Ireland."
Borthwick Focused on Fiji Amid Criticism
England head coach Steve Borthwick is under pressure after a five-Test losing run, but insists he is focused only on Saturday's clash with Fiji. Following a 45-21 defeat by South Africa, the match is a must-win ahead of a tricky encounter against Argentina. Borthwick has named his strongest available starting XV, with Tommy Freeman moving to the right wing and Henry Slade reinstated at outside centre.
Borthwick said: "I wanted to play for England and then, when you can no longer play for England, I wanted to coach England and help this England team. And by doing that – because nobody makes you do that – you accept the scrutiny, you accept the pressure, you accept the expectation because you want to try and achieve some great things."
He also confirmed there will be no easing of the RFU's restriction on picking overseas-based players, despite Jack Willis and Tom Willis being unavailable for selection.
Scotland Considered 7-1 Bench Split
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend revealed he considered naming a 7-1 bench split for their match against South Africa, but ultimately opted for a 6-2 split. "I think the bench is going to have a big impact. We feel that bench is going to bring energy. It's two physical back-line players, but it's more [about] the six forwards. We know that the forwards are going to be the ones that are really going to be tested this week against the best pack in world rugby," said Townsend.
