Tompkins will make his first Wales start in Dublin after impressing during last weekend’s bonus point victory over Italy. And Pivac believes the 24-year-old has all-round game to cause Ireland problems.
“It’s more around the ability and the game played by Nick Tompkins, both when he came on as a replacement for the HIA and then when he came on as a full sub at the end of the game,” said Pivac.
“George North moves out one to the wing while we were also very pleased with George’s game. Johnny McNicholl is the casualty but he’ll get an opportunity off the bench this week.
“In terms of what the public saw of him (Tompkins) on the field last weekend we’ve been seeing that in training every day. Not only in training but the way he conducts himself off the field.
“He’s a true professional and for a young man at his age he’s a seasoned pro. He handles himself very well and he’s been very impressive.
“I just hope he goes as well starting as he did coming off the bench.”
Tompkins is the only change to Pivac’s starting XV with North moving to the wing in place of Johnny McNicholl. Rhys Carre, Adam Beard and Owen Williams come onto the replacements bench.
Pivac is quietly confident Wales can win their first Six Nations clash in Dublin since 2012 but has warned his players they are in for a ferocious test match against Andy Farrell’s side.
He said: “They (Ireland) are a very physical team and if you let them get on the front foot they are very dangerous. We’ve got to be very careful in the areas we play and make sure that we match that physicality that is obviously going to be there.
“We know it’s not an easy place to go and their record there speaks for itself. It’s going to be a big challenge but we have to front up physically and play in the right areas of the field.
“The support that we have will now be on the other foot. They will be backing the team in green.
“The environment will be the same. It’ll be a great occasion with a lot of vocal support which for the players at this stage of the game they love.
“It will be, as history shows, a tough place to go and get a result but we are working very hard to try and achieve that.”
