The verdict on the Wales team to play Ireland, the gamble on Josh Adams and dangerous looking backline

Minus so many players to injuries, Wayne Pivac didn’t have huge room to manoeuvre in his selection for Wales’ Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

But there are still several calls that not everyone would have expected.

Among them is the naming of Josh Adams in the centre.

Shane Williams had said over the weekend that he’d hate to see the Cardiff player moved into the middle as he’s a world-class wing and "needs to stay where he can make most impact and is most comfortable".

A lot of people would have agreed with that take on matters.

But Pivac has taken a different view. Here’s the verdict on that call and others Pivac’s has made.

The old adage suggests that experience is the hardest kind of teacher, one that gives you the test first and the lesson later.

And so to Josh Adams starting an international at outside centre for the first time in his career.

To date, all 36 of his caps have been won on the wing.

There he has proven a huge success, with 17 tries coming his way. He has closed down Israel Folau, outscored Josua Tuisova in a World Cup head-to-head and made so few mistakes they can be counted on one hand.

Now Wayne Pivac has picked him at 13 for the Six Nations opener against Ireland, evidently wanting from Adams what George North delivered for him last year, namely pace, power and penetration in the midfield role.

It’s a gamble, particularly against centres of the quality of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose.

But Pivac feels it’s worth taking.

He lacks a ready-made and natural outside centre at this time.

Three months shy of his 34th birthday, Jon Davies may not have the pace to play international rugby at No. 13 any more, while the Ospreys have been using Owen Watkin largely at inside centre.