World in motion... how Wales look set to line up for opener in Japan
THE countdown is well and truly on to the World Cup, with Warren Gatland having held a summit with the candidates for places in his permitted squad of 31.
Preparations will go up another notch during this autumn’s internationals with Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa.
Wales open their World Cup campaign against Georgia in Japan next year and face twice world champions Australia in a potential Pool D decider six days later.
As it currently stands, here’s the Wales team coach Gatland could pick to face the Wallabies in Tokyo on September 29.
Those not in it have a year to change his mind.
15 LEIGH HALFPENNY
He’s been the most accurate goal-kicker in the Test arena for more than two years with a stunning success rate of 84%.
Halfpenny may not be a dazzling counter-attacker, but is unselfish and creative when he enters the three-quarter line.
He reads the game astutely, kicks accurately and long out of hand, is solid in defence and under the high ball.
The jersey appears his, barring injury.
14 GEORGE NORTH
Has been right up for it since his summer move to the Ospreys from Northampton and is a serious attacking force when at his best.
Consistency has been an issue on the big stage in recent years, but increased competition through the emergence of another big and capable wing in the multi-talented Owen Lane can only be good in spurring him on.
Basically, if he’s fit and on this form, he starts.
13 JONATHAN DAVIES
Missed most of last season after being injured in the autumn defeat to Australia and has suffered from hamstring trouble since returning to action. Those problems – he also had a number of niggles during the 2016-17 campaign before regaining full fitness and being player of the series for the Lions in New Zealand – are a concern but at his best, he is a certainty to be in the centre.
12 HADLEIGH PARKES
The Welsh-qualified New Zealander quickly established himself as Gatland’s go-to man at inside-centre after making his debut with a brace of tries against South Africa last December.
The seasoned Parkes is a typical Kiwi in that he does the basics superbly, whether it’s passing, being physical trucking the ball up, defending, providing a tactical kicking option or being a second voice in midfield.
Owen Watkin and Scott Williams are in the midfield mix, but Parkes has become Wales’ glue.
11 LIAM WILLIAMS
Has overcome the injury problem which blighted last season for him and been attracting plenty of headlines at Saracens for his playing prowess.
Wales may get more out of him at full-back, the position in which he started for the Lions against the All Blacks, because he’s a more instinctive and evasive runner out of defence than Halfpenny, but there’s not a reason why the pair can’t swap roles during certain situations in matches.
10 DAN BIGGAR
Judging by the reaction to the piece I wrote saying Biggar should be left out of Gatland’s squad for the autumn internationals, many seem to agree with me.
But, as it stands and with Wales backs coach Rob Howley being a fan of the big-money Northampton signing and having been obsessed with the kicking game in recent times, Biggar remains favourite to be his play-maker at the World Cup.
9 GARETH DAVIES
There were concerns about Wales’ strength in depth at scrum-half when Rhys Webb became ineligible for Gatland’s World Cup squad after signing a bumper contract with Toulon.
But Tomos Williams and Aled Davies impressed during June’s victories over South Africa and Argentina.
However, dangerous runner Gareth Davies, who was Wales’ leading try-scorer at the 2015 World Cup in the absence of the injured Webb, is currently front-runner. He’ll need a good season though.
1 ROB EVANS
Was unlucky to miss out on a place with the Lions last year and has continued to develop as a loosehead prop.
His all-round game is excellent and the Scarlets product could be on the way to becoming one of the best in the world. A certainty for the front row if fit.
2 KEN OWENS
The ‘Sheriff of Carmarthen’ faces a challenge from his Scarlets’ teammate Ryan Elias and Dragons dynamo Elliot Dee.
Elias and Dee took their chances to shine against the Springboks and Pumas, but Lions reserve hooker Owens remains the main man and is a powerful ball-carrying option.
3 SAMSON LEE
Tight-head prop is an on-going issue for Wales with nobody having nailed down the No.3 jersey since Adam Jones was pensioned off by Gatland four years ago.
Tomas Francis had the upper hand last season, but his starts for Exeter are sparse and it’s a similar situation for Dillon Lewis at Cardiff Blues, while another promising youngster in Leon Brown has had injury problems.
Lewis shone for Wales in the summer but probably needs to become a first-teamer at the Blues to push his claims further.
Lee has made a solid start for the season, scrummaging and carrying strongly against the Ospreys at the weekend, to nudge his nose in front at this stage.
4 CORY HILL
Injuries to others gave him an opportunity in union’s biggest arena and he has been a revelation with Gatland making him co-captain for June’s internationals.
The emergence of Adam Beard in Argentina, the return to fitness of powerhouse Jake Ball from a serious shoulder injury and seasoned campaigners Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris lurking in the background means Wales have options.