Opportunity knocks for stars on the fringe, so what will they add?
WARREN Gatland will again test the depth of his Wales squad after making 10 personnel changes for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Italy in Rome.
The New Zealander has remained true to his word and involved all the remaining members of the 31-man squad that have been training in the south of France this week.
Some will see the selection as a gamble – Gatland has left out five of his 2017 Lions tourists – but the players coming in will see this weekend as a huge opportunity as they hope to put down markers for the England game.
Here, we look at which ones have the most to gain at the Stadio Olimpico ahead of the mouthwatering showdown with Eddie Jones’ side in Cardiff on February 23...
Dan Biggar
The Welsh fly-half merry-go-round continues with Biggar now handed the No.10 jersey in Rome.
Since the start of 2018, here’s how Gatland’s selection in the pivotal position has gone – Scotland (Patchell), England (Patchell), Ireland (Biggar), Italy (Anscombe), France (Biggar), South Africa (Anscombe), Argentina (Patchell), Argentina (Patchell), Scotland (Anscombe), Australia (Anscombe), Tonga (Biggar), South Africa (Anscombe), France (Anscombe), Italy (Biggar).
The fact there is still a debate as to who is the best man to steer the ship in Japan has to be a concern for Gatland, particularly as many of his rivals have established players in the key role.
Anscombe enjoyed an impressive autumn, but struggled in the rain in Paris with his game-management coming under the microscope.
If Biggar can control matters at the Stadio Olimpico there will be a growing clamour for him to start against the old enemy.
Owen Watkin
A second Six Nations start for the young Osprey and another chance to showcase his talents against the Azzurri.
The question is, can Watkin break up the established Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies midfield partnership? Parkes hasn’t been at his best this season, while Watkin has produced some eye-catching cameos.
Opportunity is knocking, but you would think Watkin needs something beyond encouraging to push his way into the reckoning against England.
Aled Davies
Gatland has already shown he isn’t afraid to play Davies in big games after starting the West Walian against South Africa in 2017 and Argentina in the second Test last summer.
Wales have lacked control from nine and while the Osprey may not possess the explosive attacking qualities of Gareth Davies or Tomos Williams, he is an excellent tactical kicker, has a slick delivery and is a strong defensive reader of the game. Are the likes of Gareth Davies and Williams better options coming off the bench when there is space to expose?
Like fly-half, questions about Wales’ best nine remain and Aled Davies will see this as a huge chance to shake up the current pecking order.
Jake Ball
The Scarlets lock has pulled on a Wales jersey just once since dislocating his shoulder against the All Blacks in November 2017.
But that display against Tonga last autumn highlighted the powerful carrying option he can offer a side.
Again, this season has been a frustrating one for the 27-year-old, who has only recently returned from further shoulder issues.
He played in the Scarlets’ Guinness PRO14 defeat to Leinster in Dublin a couple of weeks ago and delivered the kind of nudge to Gatland the New Zealander would have hoped for.
Ball made 16 carries and put in 11 tackles without a miss. He was also a strong presence in the tight exchanges.
Adam Beard has gone to the front of the queue to partner Alun Wyn Jones in Wales’ first-choice side, but the young Osprey was subdued against France, offering Ball a chance to stake his claim.
Gatland may want his powerful presence against England.
Thomas Young/Aaron Wainwright
Barring injury, you’d expect the Welsh back row to face England to be the same as the one that took the field in Paris – Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty.
All three had impressive matches at the Stade de France and regardless of how Young and Wainwright perform against the Azzurri, it is unlikely to be enough to win them starting spots.
Which means the pair are scrapping for a place on the bench in Cardiff. Wainwright has been a revelation since making his debut on the summer tour in Argentina, while Young’s gold-standard performances for Wasps earns him a deserved recall to the Test arena.