GOOD EVANS...

Could Blues fly-half Jarrod be in line for a shock Wales call to face Scotland in the autumn series opener?

CARDIFF Blues fly-half Jarrod Evans could be in line for his Wales debut against Scotland - despite the fact he’s not actually been named in the autumn squad.

Evans will be training as cover for Rhys Patchell during the next 48 hours, with a decision expected to be made tomorrow on Patchell’s recovery from concussion issues.

The Blues star was not officially named as one of the 37 men in the Wales squad, which was unveiled last week.

If Scarlets man Patchell is still experiencing symptoms, Evans will remain with Wales at the Vale Resort and with Northampton’s Dan Biggar unavailable to face Scotland as one of Gatland’s English-based players and Gareth Anscombe the only other recognised No. 10, the 22-year-old could be in line to make the match-day squad for the series opener at the Principality Stadium.

“Jarrod is due to be on the plane (for South Africa) on Wednesday unless Patchell is ruled out,” said Cardiff Blues coach John Mulvihill.

“If he (Patchell) is, Jarrod will be in the match-day 23 (against Scotland), I would think. I am not the selector, but there are not many standing and he is a good player and deserves to be there.”

A medical update is expected from the Wales camp this afternoon.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will be hoping for positive news on back-rower Ellis Jenkins after seeing the Cardiff Blues skipper link up with the national squad carrying a shoulder injury.

Jenkins suffered the blow during the Blues’ 29-12 Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Glasgow at the Arms Park on Sunday.

He picked up the knock early in the game, carried on playing, but was clearly in discomfort and was replaced midway through the second half.

After the match, Blues head coach Mulvilhill revealed it was an AC issue, but has eased fears it may keep Jenkins sidelined for any significant length of time.

“It is his AC joint. He was strapped up at half-time, he was a bit sore but should be ok,” said the Australian.

“If he has a little AC injury, it is specific, he will get his treatment. I don’t think there is any need for scans, it is not that big an injury. It can be looked after during the week and injected if need be for game-time.”

Nevertheless, Gatland can ill-afford more injury concerns, particularly as his back-row resources are already depleted for the forthcoming autumn Tests against Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa.

Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau have all been ruled out of the series, although Gatland has still been able to omit players of the calibre of Ollie Griffiths and Thomas Young, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance for Wasps in their thrilling European draw with Bath on the weekend.

Meanwhile, Jenkins’s regional teammate Seb Davies will be training with Gatland’s 37-man squad in the early part of the week after recovering from a knee injury.