LOCKS
Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, Cory Hill THE established names will still be there, with skipper Alun Wyn Jones an inevitability, while Luke Charteris and Jake Ball are likely to be named in the squad on October24.
Cardiff Blues lock Seb Davies has catapulted himself from potential squad member to possible starter with a number of all-action, topclass performances.
Dragons’ captain Cory Hill should take the final spot in the squad, with the second-row likely to see off the competition of Adam Beard.
BACK-ROW
Aaron Shingler, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Ollie Griffiths, Thomas Young, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau FOR so long an area of strength and stability, a number of injuries has seen this department looking as depleted as Theresa May’s slogan as it fell apart on the wall during the recent Conservative Party conference.
Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric are shoe-ins, while Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty now seems likely to be fit just in time.
Aaron Shingler looks set to be rewarded for some stunning form, while Dan Lydiate may have enough credit in the bank to sneak back in after a year out with a serious knee injury.
It then comes down to Ollie Griffiths, Thomas Young and Josh Navidi – with the latter probably missing out despite featuring in the summer, with Gatland yet to personally pick the Cardiff Blues flanker in a Wales squad.