GATLAND HAS THE TOUGHEST MONTH AHEAD

AFTER BEING in Lions mode last season, Wales head coach Warren Gatland is back in the day job and facing the toughest autumn campaign of the four home nations. All three of the southern superpowers are coming to Cardiff over the next month and Wales must break the cycle of regular failure in these November windows. They have lost 12 Tests in a row against Australia and haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953, although the Springboks have been conquered on their last two autumn visits. The absence of injured Lions captain Sam Warburton is a setback, but Ross Moriarty’s return to fitness is timely and Taulupe Faletau has been in supreme form for Bath. The same can be said for Rhys Priestland, but Dan Biggar is sure to continue at 10. No George North means a deserved opening out wide for Steff Evans and the pre- series intrigue has focused on the likely selection of a second playmaker at inside centre, signalling a faster attacking approach. Wales should beat Georgia and one of Australia or the Boks, but the All Blacks’ scalp will remain stubbornly out of reach. Prediction: 2/4. FIXTURES: Nov 11 v Australia, Nov 18 v Georgia, Nov 25 v New Zealand, Dec 2 v South Africa.