Clive Woodward has suggested that Leigh Halfpenny's injury could actually work in Wales's favour.
Fullback Halfpenny has been ruled out for at least six months with a serious knee injury and Warren Gatland has had to rejig his back-three for Saturday's game against England, with Hallam Amos, George North and Liam Williams all starting.
"A Wales back three of Williams, North and Amos spells nothing but danger if England kick badly, or Wales can get on the front foot and win their fair share of possession," Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column. "If Wales are intending to play high-tempo, high-risk rugby Williams is an extremely good player to have on board.
"With Halfpenny you know what you are getting. Williams is much more unpredictable and defensively England will have to be even more aware of the threat he poses. England will test him with the high ball, but regardless of whether Halfpenny played or not the selection of Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess suggests a high-pressure, territory dominated, kicking approach from England anyway.
"And those distance penalties? This could definitely be a factor but, again, I would suggest caution on England's part."
Sam Burgess has already added fuel to Saturday's game by suggesting that he did not know who his opposite centre Scott Williams was.
Calum Gillon
