That’s the Lions sorted... so who could be off to the South Seas?

With the Lions squad for New Zealand having been named and 12 Welshmen on board, thoughts now turn to the likely make-up of the Wales party for the South Seas Tests against Tonga and Samoa.

Will seasoned campaigners like Gethin Jenkins, Jamie Roberts and Luke Charteris be included given Wales will be based in Auckland for half the trip and on hand if the Lions need to call on an experienced replacement?

Or will the focus be very much on development and youth, with so few new players having been capped since the 2015 World Cup?

Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS surveys the options ahead of Monday’s squad announcement and comes up with a likely tour party... Back three With Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams both away with the Lions, there will be fresh faces in the back three and a chance for exciting young talents to make their Test debuts.

There was frustration during the season that neither Keelan Giles nor Steff Evans were given an opportunity on the wing, with their regional form having been so compelling.

Now they must surely be unleashed for this south seas trip, sharing the duties out wide with the rejuvenated Alex Cuthbert.

The electric-heeled Ashton Hewitt is another young wing with much to offer, but unfortunately he hasn’t played since New Year’s Day following concussion, so seems out of the equation.

You would expect Rhys Patchell to make the squad, fitness permitting, and given the competition at fly-half, it may well be that full-back provides his best route into the side as was the case in New Zealand last summer.

Lastly, I think a place has to be found for Rhun Williams, as he is one of the most promising talents out there. He’s had two impressive campaigns with the U20s and has started to really make his mark with Cardiff Blues.

He has the size and tackling technique to make him a solid last line of defence at full-back, while he has that priceless ability to time a pass on entering the line. He also has the pace and feet to play on the wing, with his versatility making his tour selection all the more appealing. Selections: Rhun Williams, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert, Keelan Giles, Steff Evans Centres The big question here is what to do about Jamie Roberts.

It’s been a tough couple of days for the good doctor. First came the raised hope of a third Lions tour, as various media outlets ran stories on him being set for selection.

Then came the deflation as the squad was announced without his name being read out.

You have to feel for Roberts who has had an outstanding international career and would have dearly loved to make the trip to New Zealand.

But the decision now needs to be made over whether Wales take him on their south seas adventure.

On the one hand, it would mean he’s there on the doorstep should the Lions want an experienced midfield replacement.

Wales are going to be based in the Auckland area for half their trip, as that’s where the Tonga Test is to be played.

So there might well be a temptation to select seasoned campaigners to have them as next cabs off the rank for the Lions, whereas they might normally be rested from such trips.

But first and foremost this Wales tour is about development and giving new faces and fringe figures an opportunity.

As such, it would probably serve the greater good for the 91-cap Roberts to stay at home and for others to get a shot.

In particular, it’s a chance to see what the uncapped Owen Williams can offer as a different kind of 12, a second playmaker in midfield, with the Gloucester-bound Tiger also able to cover 10.

And it’s an opportunity to reward Ashley Beck’s commendable return to fitness and form after extended injury woe.

It’s four years since he won the last of his seven caps, but he’s still only 27 and his classy contributions for the Ospreys at 13 this season definitely merit a recall.

There would be the option of including Tyler Morgan, but he hasn’t really kicked on since playing in the World Cup quarter-final against South Africa.

Conversely, Steve Shingler couldn’t have done much more to advance his claims for midfield consideration since moving from the Scarlets to the Blues, while Scott Williams will travel as the centre in occupation and could well be a candidate for the captaincy. Selections: Ashley Beck, Scott Williams, Owen Williams, Steve Shingler Half-backs There has been a season-long clamour for Sam Davies to start at fly-half for Wales.

So far, that has been resisted, with the fledgling Osprey restricted to six cameos off the bench.

But with his regional colleague Dan Biggar off to New Zealand, this could be the moment for Davies to be handed the keys to No 10.

Saying that, there will be competition for the pivotal role, with Gareth Anscombe coming up on the rails with a late season surge in form, while Patchell, Shingler and Owen Williams provide further options there. So spoilt for choice really.

At scrum-half, Gareth Davies steps up to the plate in Rhys Webb’s absence, with the question being who gets the nod as his deputy.

His fellow Scarlet Aled Davies was included in the Six Nations squad, but hasn’t had that much game time of late, with further competition there from another contender Jonathan Evans. Young darter Tomos Williams has

It’s a chance to see what Owen Williams can offer at 12

Simon Thomas