Outsiders who could be squad by Wayne Pivac
according to his times on the training pitch, was in Pivac’s squad for the clash with the Barbarians.
And he produced the telling moment for the Dragons as they snatched the spoils against the Scarlets with a powerful burst that left mud-caked defenders in his wake to set up the position for the winning drop-goal.
The uncapped winger was also solid dealing with opposition kicks and his kicking out of hand was accurate.
With Wales having major injury concerns at outside-centre, which could necessitate a wide-man having to be switched inside, more of the same from Hewitt gives him a chance of sneaking into the Six Nations party.
SHANE LEWIS-HUGHES
He was a key member of the Wales Under-20 team that rocketed to a Six Nations Grand Slam three years ago but it’s taken time for him to break through at the Blues.
But the 22-year-old, who is 6ft 4in tall and weighs in at 18st 11lb, has been a standout performer this campaign.
Lewis-Hughes was included in Pivac’s first Wales squad and, although he’s been used primarily as a back-row forward by the Blues, was an Under-20 hit at lock.
Pivac regards him highly and, depending on the size of his party for the defence of the Gatland engineered Grand Slam, he may be included as part of his rugby education.
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT
Some may question his age but he will be older than a certain George North was if he makes his Wales debut during the Six Nations.
Wales Under-18 star Rees-Zammit will be 19 the day after the clash with Italy at the Principality Stadium.
He provided more evidence of his ability and lethal finishing with a brace of tries, also setting up another, as Gloucester walloped Worcester Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership while his defence is solid as he utilises his searing pace to snuff out opposition attacks.
Rees-Zammit has racked up five tries in 10 senior outings for the Cherry and Whites and, along with the World Cup’s top try-scorer Josh Adams, has been Wales’ standout winger this campaign.
RHYS CARRE
Came on leaps and bounds at the World Cup after working with then Wales scrummaging guru Robin McBryde.
He missed the meeting with the Barbarians because it was outside the official Test window and his club Saracens wouldn’t release him.But the loose-head prop came off the bench as the Heineken Champions Cup holders and Gallagher Premiership kings hammered Bristol Bears
Carre, 21, made a favourable impression and it would be a surprise if he’s not in Six Nations contention as a potential super-sub.
CORY HILL, RICHARD HIBBARD AND AARON JARVIS
Hill isn’t a fringe player but has been included here because he’s appeared just twice since being injured while playing a starring role in Wales’ successful fight-back against England last season.
Although he’s been featuring at blindside flanker rather than in his usual position of lock for the Dragons, the 27-year-old is showing his rugby brain.
He’s got good footwork for a big man and has a knack of making headway by a change of direction rather than attempting to plough through defenders.
Hill, who captained Wales in both Tests in Argentina last year, is also an astute operator calling the line-out and his return will give Pivac plenty to ponder.
Age is against recently-turned 36-year-old Hibbard in terms of a Wales recall but he’s been arguably Welsh rugby’s form hooker this term and at the heart of the revival of the Dragons under Dean Ryan. He deserves a mention even if there’s pretty much no chance of Pivac calling on him barring emergency.
Ditto 18-times capped Jarvis, 33, after finally putting serious injury problems behind him. The experienced former Bath, Ospreys and Clermont Auvergne prop has impressed alongside Hibbard and offers the luxury of being able to pack down at tight-head and loose-head.