Could these be the byWales to launch
THERE is less than a week until Warren Gatland reveals his Wales squad for the upcoming Six Nations, with the big announcement scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The autumn saw several new faces put their hands up for a Six Nations starting berth, but many more could be set to miss out as several stars have already been ruled out with injuries.
With all that in mind, here is the likely 36-man squad Wales will pick for the Six Nations, including a certain James Davies, who looks set to finally get his chance...
BACK THREE
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, George North, Steff Evans, Hallam Amos There has been a growing clamour for the likes of Dan Evans and Josh Adams to be involved with Wales this season, with the former in particular seemingly consigned to never adding to his two caps for his country.
Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams have always been ahead of the Ospreys full-back in the pecking order and this time seems no different.
In terms of wings, Adams has been in fine form for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership, while Alex Cuthbert has always been called upon by Gatland when needed.
But, and it’s a big but, if George North and Hallam Amos are deemed fit enough, they surely will be named alongside Steff Evans next week.
CENTRES
Owen Williams, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Watkin Gatland made headlines in the autumn when he dropped Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts from his squad, but by the end of the campaign, both had been recalled as injury replacements.
And with Lions’ man of the series Jonathan Davies ruled out and Tyler Morgan a doubt, expect them to both be named in the 36-man squad for the Six Nations, alongside Hadleigh Parkes, who scored twice on his debut against South Africa in December, but was originally left out of the Scarlets side to face Bath tonight.
The Owen Williams experiment will probably continue after a decent autumn, while Owen Watkin could retain his place despite suffering a nasty looking injury against the Cardiff Blues last weekend.
FLY-HALVES
Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Rhys Patchell There’s no question about Dan Biggar’s place in the squad – with the Ospreys fly-half’s international future now secure after passing the 60-cap mark in the autumn.
Rhys Priestland, having been a surprise recall in the autumn, should keep his place ahead of Ospreys’ deputy Sam Davies and Cardiff Blues playmaker Gareth Anscombe, as should Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell.
SCRUM-HALVES
Rhys Webb, Gareth Davies, Aled Davies Brace yourself, because this could well be the last Wales squad you’ll ever see Rhys Webb in – so let’s enjoy him while he’s still available.
Gareth Davies has proved himself as a viable alternative to British and Irish Lion Webb, while Aled Davies did well in the autumn when called upon.
Tomos Williams is a livewire for the Cardiff Blues but nothing really suggests that Gatland will differ from his autumn picks here.
PROPS
Rob Evans, Nicky Smith, Wyn Jones, Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Dillon Lewis Another area that is unlikely to see much change from the autumn, with Rob Evans in particular establishing himself as a world-class loosehead prop.
The return of Samson Lee to fitness is a big boost on the tighthead but, with Leon Brown still struggling with concussion, thoughts turn to who the