On outside chances of
THERE were a couple of shock inclusions when Warren Gatland unveiled his 37-man Wales squad for this autumn’s four-test series, but a few notable omissions as well.
While bolters Jonah Holmes and Luke Morgan can prepare for their first taste of the national camp, there are others who will know they have work to do if they are going to press their claims for a World Cup spot in Japan next year.
ROB LLOYD looks at those who will be on the outside looking in over the next six weeks or so and what it all means for Gatland’s World Cup shakeup.
OLLIE GRIFFITHS Griffiths has been one of the standout players in regional rugby this season, picking up two man-of-the-match awards for the Dragons in the Guinness PRO14.
The former Wales Under-20s skipper has been tenacious at the breakdown and has shown a versatility by playing across the back row.
He was widely expected to make the cut, but instead, it is his team-mate Aaron Wainwright who has sneaked in, with Justin Tipuric and Ellis Jenkins seen as the favoured No. 7 options.
The 23-year-old is still waiting to add to his lone brief Test appearance on the summer tour of 2017 and has a real battle on his hands when you consider Josh Navidi, James Davies and possibly Aaron Shingler will enter the scrap come the Six Nations.
THOMAS YOUNG Another puzzling one. After being capped against Tonga and Samoa last year, Young has been out of favour for a while, and if he can’t get into a squad missing Shingler, Davies, Faletau and Navidi, then you do fear that he faces an extended time in exile.
Young missed the start of Wasps’ Premiership season with injury, but was outstanding in a losing cause against Leinster last weekend.
SAM DAVIES The writing was on the wall for the Ospreys pivot when he wasn’t invited to Gatland’s get-together at the Vale earlier this month.
Davies has put behind him the frustration of last season and looked more like the player who was pushing hard for the Wales No. 10 shirt during the 2016 Six Nations.
Where does he sit in the current pecking order? Probably sixth, behind Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Rhy Patchell, Rhys Priestland and Jarrod Evans, who Gatland has suggested could come into the camp to train as cover for Patchell, who is recovering from concussion issues.
Davies needs a big month or two for the Ospreys to convince the Wales management that he deserves another chance.