Wales have waxed lyrical over new cap Taine Plumtree as a possible first start awaits the back-row against England in their second Rugby World Cup warm-up game.
Plumtree came off the bench in Cardiff over the weekend and impressed in the 20-9 victory, with the Swansea-born player settling in quickly with his team-mates.
The son of renowned coach, John, the young back-row built a name for himself in Super Rugby and only linked up with Wales after a surprise call-up in mid-July.
Changes for Wales
He now looks to be set for a start at Twickenham on Saturday, as does the uncapped Scarlets centre Joe Roberts, with assistant coach Neil Jenkins hailing Plumtree.
“He has been very good, he is a talent and an athlete,” Jenkins praised.
“He understands the game, and he played pretty well when he went on on Saturday.
“We will see if he gets another opportunity in the coming weeks, but he is a good asset to the squad as a player and a person.
“I think he said to most of the guys that he was pretty nervous before coming in out in Switzerland and not knowing anyone. He has certainly found his feet and he gets on with the guys.”
Aaron Wainwright was outstanding in the number eight jersey last week as he linked up well with captain and flank Jac Morgan in the absence of Taulupe Faletau.
“He (Faletau) is making good strides and we just need to keep an eye on him,” Jenkins added on the experienced British and Irish Lions number eight’s fitness.
“He is a class act, and the last thing we want to do is push him too early, but he is certainly making progress and he is in a pretty good place.
“He is a world-class player, so we will see what happens in the coming days and weeks.”
Looking ahead to the Twickenham clash when Wales will face a reeling England after their defeat in Cardiff, Jenkins is looking forward to the “challenge” ahead.
“Twickenham is a tough place to go and they have got a very good record against us up there,” he said. “But it’s another challenge and another good opportunity for the boys.
“I think when you can come out on the right side (of the result) it does give you confidence, there is no doubting that.
Staying grounded
“We are in a different place to where we were in the Six Nations, and that is a good thing.
“To win a Test match against England is no mean feat, but we are grounded.
“We’ve got to go again, and we can’t be the same this Saturday. We have to be better. It’s plain and simple.
“Keeping a Test team to nine points and not conceding any tries is a massive plus and bonus. Can we raise the bar this Saturday? That is the challenge for us.”
READ MORE: Experienced England back-row set for comeback against Wales at Twickenham
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