Former Wales captain Michael Owen believes Justin Tipuric has a long international future ahead of him – but he doesn’t believe that means we’ve seen the end of squad captain Sam Warburton.
Coming in at openside flanker in place of Warburton, who was ruled out with a stinger injury, 23-year-old Tipuric won his 12th cap against France and retained his place, along with the rest of the side, for Saturday’s victory over Italy.
Warburton has regained fitness but not the form that saw him lead Wales to the World Cup semi-final in 2011 and the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam with Ryan Jones, who has featured at blindside in both Paris and Rome, assuming the captaincy.
Both Warburton and Tipuric are considered specialist No.7s but while both have similar attributes, Owen, who capped Wales to the Grand Slam in 2005, believes the pair could work in tandem to devastating effect.
“The new Wales coaching team means that players are rewarded for playing well for their clubs,” said Owen.
“If you are in form for your club and perform when you’re in the Wales side then they will stay in the side.
“Sam Warburton has been in incredible form for a long period of time and is a very good player. The rivalry between him and Tipuric will be a great contest that will run for a long time. I believe that they could play together.
“They are both good line-out options, Warburton is a good ball-carrier, Tipuric is more creative and they are obviously very good defensively both over the ball and tackling. It is possible to have Warburton at No.6 and Tipuric at No.7.
“There is a lot of competition in the back-row and depending what game-plan the coaches want to use and form of the players will determine the team selection. And I think [Toby] Faletau is a great player and Wales need his go-forward play.”
Owen’s suggestion may well come to fruition – against Italy on Saturday Warburton entered the fray after 68 minutes, replacing Jones rather than Tipuric.
Should Warburton and Tipuric be paired together against Scotland next weekend, it could mean Jones reverts to the bench, or he could well take his place in the second row.
And Owen believes that flexibility, coupled by Wales’ return to form, means they are very much contenders to defend their RBS 6 Nations crown ahead of a potential decider with England at the Millennium Stadium on March 16.
“I believe we still have a chance of winning the championship,” he added.
“England are favourites and playing really well but Wales have put themselves in contention. The Welsh pedigree is fantastic and playing at the Millennium stadium will be advantageous for them.
“The Welsh side will make it difficult for England to win there.”
