The key questions facing prepares to name squad
JUST days ago, a faint whiff of concern might have been detected over Wales’s prospects for the Six Nations.
One count, after all, suggested as many as 18 players were carrying injuries.
Then came the news Ross Moriarty had been handed a comeback date and Taulupe Faletau was starting for Bath this weekend, ending 99 days on the sidelines with a broken arm.
Nicky Smith is set to return at some point during the Championship, Rhys Patchell should resume before it starts, Dan Biggar is fine after an injury scare and there are hopes on Josh Adams, too.
Oh, and the worries over Adam Beard, after he was stretchered off in a neck brace against Cardiff Blues, have thankfully eased.
So Gatland should have a decent hand to head into the tournament with.
MARK ORDERS answers key questions on the squad announcement on Tuesday and what we can expect in the coming weeks...
WHEN DOES GATLAND NAME HIS SQUAD?
The announcement will be made next Tuesday at the Vale Resort, at noon.
Those chosen will meet up on Monday, January 21.
HOW MANY PLAYERS IS GATLAND EXPECTED TO NAME?
How long’s a piece of string? He named 39 players last term, while Rob Howley chose 37 players in 2016. It’s been speculated Gatland could call on 36 players this time.
Suffice to say it’s likely to be between 36 and 39.
CAN ANYONE FORCE THEIR WAY IN THIS WEEKEND?
There will be a few hopefuls planning to give Gatland an 11th hour nudge with their displays for their regions this weekend.
What about Steff Evans? He is coming from a long way back but a blistering performance for the Scarlets against Leicester would at least remind Gatland of his quality.
The tournament is probably coming too soon for Owen Lane, who has just returned from injury, but let’s not forget Josh Turnbull.
His display for Cardiff Blues against the Scarlets over Christmas was one of the performances of the season by a regional player.
He can also cover second row as well as back row.
One word of caution: selectors tend to base their opinions over extended periods rather than on one-off displays.
But if it’s a borderline call, then of course form matters.
CAN WE EXPECT ANY SHOCKS?
Well, the Ospreys coaches have been championing the resurgence of Cory Allen.
He starts ahead of Owen Watkin against Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
Might he get a look-in, 19 months after his last Test?
Then there are the two hookers, Kristian Dacey and Scott Baldwin. Each have been playing well.
Baldwin, Wales’ front-line hooker at the last World Cup, has enjoyed a run of games at the Ospreys and impressed with his appetite for hard work. He is big, physical and playing with confidence again.
Ken Owens and Elliot Dee are the front-line No.2s, but it seems reasonable to conclude that there is going to be a scramble for the third hooking spot.
WHO WILL START AT FLY-HALF?
Gareth Anscombe, unless Wales opt to switch him to full-back to cover for the injured Leigh Halfpenny.
Dan Biggar has been in form for Northampton and has done more good things for Wales than his detractors would care to recognise.
But Anscombe was trusted at the controls for three games during the autumn and largely acquitted himself well. He is no Barry John, but he has vision and his passing helped set up two tries against Scotland.
He has continued his good form since, performing outstandingly against the Scarlets and holding his nerve to seal victory over the Dragons.