But what are Wales a call-up for Lions?
Sean Maitland and Darcy Graham could all all be on it. So North has his work cut out. He offers something different with his power, mind. Good form may just see him on the plane.
Gareth Anscombe
Gatland has identified the injured Osprey as the player Wales missed the most at the World Cup in Japan. He has talent and confidence and he is versatile. With a fair wind behind him, he could be there or thereabouts.
Rhys Webb
Welsh rugby’s rule on exiled players stopped Webb appearing at the World Cup, but he is a player who can still make things happen. He’ll be 32 at the time of the tour; don’t rule him out.
Tomos Williams
He had a mixed Six Nations and will be competing with Conor Murray, John Cooney, Ben Youngs, Webb and Gareth Davies for a Lions spot. Williams can do special things, however. If he could wipe the occasional error from his game, he’d be a contender.
Gareth Davies
While Gatland will value his creativity and ability to conjure spectacular tries – which coach wouldn’t? – Davies will have to be at his best to make the trip.
Jake Ball
He needs to move from being a 7/10 performer to being an 8/10 player on a consistent basis. It’s asking a lot; Ball won’t fail for lack of effort.
Cory Hill
There could be a potential spot for a utility forward in the back-five, but Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes may also fancy the gig. It’ll be a big challenge for Hill, then, but Gatland likes him as a player.
Josh Navidi
There’s a case for considering him highly likely to make the trip, because Gatland rates him so highly and he’s exactly the kind of versatile forward a tour squad needs. That said, the competition is set to be molten hot in the area where he plies his trade.
Ross Moriarty
He toured with the Lions in 2017 and, again, is the kind of rugged, tough customer who’d come in handy in South Africa. His ability to operate at blindside and No.8 would help, too. He needs to be on his game.
Taulupe Faletau
Not so long ago this guy would have been seen as a certainty. Well, actually, it was quite long ago, two or three years back, before his horrendous run of injuries. Billy Vunipola will travel if fit, and keep an eye on rising Ireland star Caelan Doris, along with CJ Stander. Faletau will need to start motoring.
GROUND TO MAKE UP Aaron Wainwright
Much will depend on how the Dragon kicks on with his game in the coming months. After the World Cup, Gatland name-checked him as a potential tourist, calling him an X-factor player, but he lost ground in the Six Nations and will need to rediscover momentum.
Hadleigh Parkes
He’s been a stalwart in the Wales midfield, but he’ll be 33 when the tour comes around and there a lot of younger, sleeker models on the scene. It’ll be some achievement if he makes it.
Owen Watkin
While he’s a big talent and another year will aid his development no end, he first needs to nail down a regular starting spot with Wales.
Hallam Amos
A player with a super skill-set. Injuries have haunted him, however, and he needs a run of games to become an established Wales starter, let alone a Lion.
Owen Lane
A big unit who beats defenders for fun, but, as with Amos, he picks up untimely bumps. If he can enjoy a dash of luck on that front, and advance his game, it’ll take him near the Wales team, perhaps. The Lions? A big ask.
Johnny McNicholl
Good Johnny scores tries and frightens the life out of defenders. Not-so-good Johnny can be exposed in defence. The Scarlet will know what he has to do.
Louis Rees-Zammit
A try-scoring machine in the English Premiership, but the word is the teenager is still smoothing the odd rough edge elsewhere in his game. It’s not inconceivable he could make it, but it would be a surprise.
Rhys Patchell
Injuries have hit him hard and he can’t afford to be similarly afflicted in a Lions year. Not impossible he could come through; not especially likely, either.
Rhys Carre
He’s a giant prop who’s on the up, but he still has it all to prove. His first goal will to win a regular starting spot with Wales.
Rob Evans
It doesn’t augur fantastically well that Gatland left him out for the World Cup. Mako Vunipola, Ellis Genge and Rory Sutherland are favourites to fill the loose-head spots. Evans will do well to confound the odds.
Wyn Jones
He’s rated as a scrummager and works hard the field. A dot of hope, then, but fortune would need to smile on him.
Adam Beard
He’s slipped back under the current Wales regime, but if the big man responds he could catch Gatland’s eye.
Will Rowlands
Another big guy, another with a big task on his hands.
Aaron Shingler
He has line-out expertise, athleticism and utility value, but so have others.
Dillon Lewis
The assumption is the job description at No.3 will read: “Ability to scrummage to a elite standard is essential.” It’s up to Lewis to meet that challenge. His industry around the field offers a glimmer of a chance.
HARD TO SEE IT HAPPENING Jarrod Evans
Gifted, but needs to play regular Test rugby.
Sam Davies
A top kicker out of hand, but still seems down the Wales pecking order.
Owen Williams
Injuries have knocked him back. It’s going to take a lot to catapult him in.
Steff Evans
Easy on the eye and scores and creates tries. But never truly prospered under Gatland.
Nicky Smith
Great around the field, but Lions spots are rarely won from outside Tests.
Leon Brown
Built like a tank and good in the loose. Is he a yet a Test-class scrummager, though?
WillGriff John
We don’t know if he’s good enough for Wales, let alone the Lions.
Thomas Young
A gem based in England. It could happen, but it’s much more likely not to.
Elliot Dee
Unlikely.
Ryan Elias
It would be a surprise.
Ollie Griffiths
Big potential, but potential alone doesn’t win Lions spots.
Ellis Jenkins
Asking a lot.
James Davies
There are few better at achieving turnovers, but there are so many good sevens out there.
NOT YET Dewi Lake, Taine Basham
Tomorrow calling.