Wales coach happy with Six Nations midfield options

Stephen Jones believes that Wales have some "good options" in midfield ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy.

Wales have lost Scarlets star Jonathan Davies from their entire Six Nations campaign after he suffered a knee injury during the World Cup.

It has left a vacancy at outside centre, with wing George North and uncapped Saracens back Nick Tompkins among options available to new head coach Wayne Pivac.

Ospreys centre Owen Watkin has also resumed training after recovering from a knee injury suffered last month.

North's 91-cap Wales career has included four starts at centre, and it would be no surprise to see him feature alongside Hadleigh Parkes in midfield this weekend.

If that happens, then North's familiar wing slot would potentially be filled by an uncapped player - Scarlets' Johnny McNicholl or prodigious 18-year-old Gloucester talent Louis Rees-Zammit.

"George has fitted in at centre a few times in training," Wales attack coach Jones said.

"We've got some good options there. We are just trying to be as smart as we can, getting our best runners on the ball at the right times in the right channels so we can be potent with the ball.

"Owen Watkin trained with us this morning, so he is doing very well. Today was his first session and he is working particularly hard with the physios."

Wales last week lost wing Owen Lane from their plans due to a hamstring injury, and hooker Elliot Dee has had a limited role in the build-up to facing the Azzurri.

But there appear to be few issues elsewhere, with the likes of Rees-Zammit, McNicholl and number eight Taulupe Faletau all training.

Rees-Zammit has scored 10 tries in 12 appearances for Gloucester this season, with that form fast-tracking him into Wales' Six Nations squad.

Jones added: "He is a wonderful talent, and we've already seen that with his performances for Gloucester.

"He's very, very exciting on the ball, with a huge amount of gas. He is a pleasure to work with as well. He is a good person who wants to better himself.

"He is a guy who is driven to improve, he's calm enough and he is playing rugby to a very high standard. He is delivering week in, week out for Gloucester.

"He has got some amazing talent, and it's exciting for all of us here. The great thing for us now is he's going toe-to-toe in the training environment against some wonderful athletes."

Wales wing Josh Adams - top try-scorer at the World Cup in Japan - is also a fan of the Gloucester speedster.

"Louis is tearing it up for Gloucester," Adams said. "He's rapid, been scoring some great tries, is improving and looking good.

"He has been a breath of fresh air. I shared a room with him for the last two nights, so we've had some good chats.

"He is still eligible to play for the Under-20s. It's crazy! I would say take as much advice as you can on board, enjoy it, embrace it.

"He's got gas, and that is something you can't coach. At the top level it helps a lot."

Wales are unbeaten in the Six Nations since February 2018, and they go into the tournament as reigning Grand Slam champions.

Jones said: "It's an amazing tournament to be a part of as a player and a coach, and I am looking forward to it immensely.

"It's a pleasure to work with these players, and we are chomping at the bit. The group we have are special. We have a lot of leaders and a lot of key decision-makers."