Sir Gareth Edwards has backed Mike Phillips to secure the starting role at scrum-half when Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on Sunday.
An injury to Rhys Webb forced Warren Gatland to call up Phillips, who was initially left out when the squad for the tournament was released.
Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams appeared to be ahead of Phillips in the pecking order, but Edwards believes that experience could be key in the selection issue.
"Mike has always been a great starter and I think Gatland may bring him on straight away," he told Sport Wales.
"It will put Mike immediately in the firing line and be the game he requires, and that's not taking anything away from Gareth Davies or Lloyd Williams.
"But I like them to come on as impact players, they tend to have that little buzz and snipe about them."
Phillips has won 94 caps for Wales.
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