Gatland could be left with big Japan decisions by Wales’ tour stars

WARREN Gatland has made no secret that he sees this trip to the Americas as a means of pencilling in more names into his World Cup squad.

And in the wake of Wales’ 22-20 victory over South Africa in Washington last Saturday, the New Zealander was adamant that a few players have pressed their case.

“We were pretty straight up with these guys and they’re all aware of what we’ve been trying to do in the last 18 months and that’s to really develop some depth and some competition in certain positions,” he said following the gutsy triumph at the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.

“There are 10 or 11 players who aren’t here who, if their form is good enough, they’re probably going to make the World Cup squad. But the biggest thing that I want is for guys to be under pressure.

“Hopefully, there’s a few of those 10 or 11 players sitting at home at the moment watching Wales, but also realising that there are a couple of players that have played exceptionally well and have won.”

For the World Cup in 2015, Gatland named a squad of 31 players, opting for a split of 17 forwards and 14 backs.

Surprisingly, he picked just two hookers, two fly-halves and only five back-rowers, which considering the rich seam of talent in that area at the moment, gives him and his management team a huge selection headache.

Taking into account that everyone is fit, here we look at where Gatland’s World Cup squad stands less than 16 months out from the opening match in Japan...