With the World Cup in the rearview mirror, Warren Gatland will be without a handful of experienced players due to retirement and many more who have ventured to clubs overseas. We may see some changes ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.
Wales will have home advantage as they play Scotland in their opening game of the Championship before heading to Twickenham a week later.
Forwards
If you are looking to the future for Welsh stars within the front row, then Corey Domachowski at loosehead could be the one. The 27-year-old made his test debut in August against England, but for experience, the Osprey duo of Gareth Thomas and Nicky Smith could be the main talking point at loosehead.
Both combined have made 72 appearances internationally, and it looks doubtful that there will be much change at loosehead for a couple of years with these two leading the pack.
Dewi Lake, who was named vice-captain in the World Cup, has what it takes but is injury-prone. The Osprey’s man, if fit will be made to work hard to keep his spot in the starting 15, as both Sam Parry and Ryan Elias are quality operators along with Elliot Dee if fit.
Meanwhile at tighthead, Gatland has a handful of options to choose from in my opinion. Montpellier’s Henry Thomas has a massive chance of being selected with young Kieran Assiratti also in contention, as both are new names to the Welsh squad.
However, after making his international debut in 2015, Tomas Francis has been a stalwart in the Welsh squad for nearly a decade and has a tremendous amount of experience on that international stage.
After leaving Exeter Chiefs, Francis is now plying his trade with Provence in Pro D2. The only worry for me is the jump of playing Pro D2 rugby week in and week out could be too big for the 31-year-old.
This is one of the easy calls for Gatland to make, as Will Rowlands will almost be inevitable in the second row. Rowlands, who plays for Racing 92 in the Top flight of French rugby, is looking to build on his 29 caps.
Youngster Dafydd Jenkins who captains Exeter Chiefs who again applies his trade outside of Wales, will be knocking on the door as Gatland looks to build more depth within the second row. Ben Carter, Rhys Davies and Teddy Williams will need more exposure to international rugby. I will be shocked if we don’t see these in squad announcements in the not to distance future.
A new Captain in my opinion will be named ahead of the Championship, and I think 6ft 8in Adam Beard will be that man.
He has now made 50 appearances for his country and has played for the British and Irish Lions. Beard has much to give at test level and is one of Gatland’s favourites so is a no brainer.
With a back row ageing like a fine wine, Gatland must look for longer-term successors to carry over to the next World Cup in 2027.
It is increasingly unlikely that Taulupe Faletau and Jac Morgan will be available, creating a massive number of opportunities for players like Aaron Wainwright, who will likely take the injured Faletau’s place at number eight.
I believe Gatland will opt to go with Tommy Reffell at Openside, who looked impressive in France. However, the development of players has been a must for Gatland since returning to Wales and focussing on giving opportunities to youngsters coming through.
He way look towards players like Christ Tshiunza and Taine Plumbtree who both looked at home when they entered that international stage however both are having a spell on the sideline.
I think this will give more of an opportunity to make players like Thomas Young and 20-year-old MacKenzie Martin, who looks very dangerous when attacking and has a strong defensive game, which will suit what Gatland is looking for.
Backline
With both Gareth Anscombe and Dan Biggar out of the picture for the meantime, the most experienced flyhalf that remains in Wales is Owen Williams, who has been backed by Ospreys head-coach Toby Booth to be in contention for that number 10 shirt.
However, at 31 years old maybe Gatland will look to pick from Scarlet’s duo Sam Costelow or Ioan Lloyd, who both have a fantastic kicking game. When looking to future Six Nations and World Cups, Wales U20 star Dan Edwards could deservedly sneak his way into the squad.
Tomos Williams and Kieran Hardy look well-suited to go toe-toe for the number nine shirt within the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. I think newly signed Dragons scrum-half, Dane Blacker has what it takes as an international half-back. Still, I see Gatland going with the experienced Gareth Davies as the man to keep the competition alive at nine.
Johnny Williams is best suited for Gatland’s plans, but the only problem the 27-year-old has had in his career is discipline issues and injuries.
Due to this, the experienced Nick Tompkins could take his spot, as he has been the best inside centre for Wales since his debut back in 2020. I think, George North will likely be his counterpart at outside centre, but the exciting Cardiff winger Mason Grady may have something to say as he could move to outside centre.
In the form he is in, Grady is undoubtedly nailed in the starting lineup, as he is one of the inform players in Wales at the moment.
With the potential of Mason Grady starting at outside centre, this opens the doors for Rio Dyer, Tom Roger, and Josh Adams to cement themselves in the starting 15. I also believe that Dragon’s winger Jared Rosser could also be selected, as the 26-year-old is a solid performer and is very dangerous at ghosting past defenders.
Being without Liam Williams, who has taken his profession to Japan, I think that Louis Rees-Zammit will take his place. He will likely start the first game of this year’s Six Nations this is due to him being a brave defender and also probably one of the more consistent players out of the lot and I can see Gatland moving him to fill that problematic 15 shirt.
Words By Harry Tovey
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