Looking for that perfect 10 as battle resumes for famous jersey
Rugby finally returns to Wales this month as the regions face-off in two rounds of derby matches before the Scarlets and Dragons head into European action.
Soon after, though, Wales will be back in action with a warm-up game likely to be pencilled in on October 24 before their postponed Six Nations match against Scotland takes place a week later.
There will then be a weekend off before heading into four autumn internationals in a proposed new eight-team tournament.
So it’s time to start talking about selection again... and nothing in Wales causes as much debate as the No.10 jersey. It is looking like Wales head coach Wayne Pivac will have to do without fly-half Gareth Anscombe for another campaign as the Osprey continues his rehabilitation from the knee injury that ended his World Cup before it began 12 months ago.
That is a blow to Pivac and Wales. There are, however, more options available to Pivac than he had in the Six Nations, with Rhys Patchell back up and running after missing the campaign earlier this year with a shoulder problem.
So what is the hierarchy when it comes to the most famous jersey in Welsh sport?
1: Dan Biggar (Northampton)
THE Northampton man is the incumbent and is likely to continue in his role as the premier fly-half in the squad. He represents the most secure pair of hands, is as consistent a performer as Wales have got in the position and the most experienced out of the options.
There are those who will protest he is a square peg being crammed into a round hole in as much as he does not suit the way Pivac is trying to get Wales playing. It is true pragmatism is high up on the list of Biggar’s attributes, but to suggest he does not harbour the ability to release a more expansive game plan is a tad harsh.
The move to the English Premiership has revitalised Biggar and he will be determined to get Wales back to winning ways this autumn after a disappointing February and March.
2: Rhys Patchell (Scarlets)
THE Scarlets playmaking earned the benefit of the doubt when he came good on the biggest stage of all in Japan last year.
Until that point, it was fair to ponder if he was ever going to really prove that he has what it takes at the Test level, but he did just that at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
His speed and range of passing makes him an appealing option for Pivac and his kicking game is sublime too. However, question marks remain over his physicality and that matters at this level.
But his return to fitness is welcome and he will be pushing Biggar for that No. 10 jersey. A start at some point in the autumn is likely and Patchell will be keen to seize his chance.
3: Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues)
HAVING come within 40 minutes of making the 2019 World Cup squad in a brutal trial situation against Ireland, Evans has returned to the international scene.
There will always be doubters who ponder whether or not his diminutive frame could be exposed in the Test arena and some of those concerns are legitimate.
Also, his game management remains a work-on.
But he probably has a better, more threatening running game than his rivals for the shirt and is the most exciting attacking option.
Will he be utilised from the bench? Might he even start the planned game against Fiji in the new eight team Nations Cup?
4: Sam Davies (Dragons)
THE 26-year-old has hauled himself back into contention for the Wales jersey after leading the Dragons’ resurgence last season.
In a similar mould to Evans, Davies perhaps doesn’t possess the devastating turn off pace that his Cardiff Blues rival has, however he is slightly more tactically astute.
Davies is a wily attacking pivot but can be overpowered by big ballcarriers and would likely be targeted in international rugby.
Pivac has shown interest in him and he remains part of the conversation but is down the pecking order.