Wales will kick off their four-game Autumn test series this Saturday against Australia. Robert Rees looks at who should be in the Wales v Australia line-up with Wales set to announce their squad on Thursday morning.
Forwards
Front Row
Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis are the men Gatland is set to use, with Samson Lee dropping out of the picture. Evans is expected to be fit again in time for Saturday and Francis’ form in the Aviva Premiership sees him prevent an all Scarlets front row.
Locks
With Warburton missing out on the squad, Alun-Wyn Jones is the probable captain and one of the starting second rows. He’ll likely be partnered by yet another Scarlets figure, Jake Ball. Not only will these add bulk to the tight five, but they’ll add vital experience in a game that will be a hard fought battle from the word ‘go’.
Back Row
Justin Tipuric has been listed as questionable for the first test. He picked up a leg injury in the Wales camp this week. The management team have said that they will give him until Thursday before deciding on whether he’ll be fit enough to play or not.
This means that Josh Navidi is likely to start at openside, with Aaron Shingler at the blindside. Talaupe Faletau will start at the number 8 spot to complete the pack.
Backs
Half-backs
Rhys Webb has also struggled with a leg injury in training; like Tipuric, he will be evaluated on Thursday prior to the squad announcement. Gareth Davies is likely to start at scrum half.
Fly-half is a much more open position at the moment with Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Rhys Patchell and Owen Williams all fighting for the shirt. However, it should undoubtedly be Bath’s Priestland who gets the starting jersey following his superb form this season.
Centres
The inside centre role has recently seen Scott Williams added to the squad, but the man who remains firmly in charge of the jersey is Owen Williams. A playmaker at fly half or inside centre will be sure to get the backs working like a well oiled machine.
His partner in midfield will be the Lions tour players’ player, Jon Davies. Solid in defence, and unpredictable in attack, he offers Wales a running game that not many can match. He also adds a kicking game that is often overlooked by many outside centres in the modern rugby world.
Wales fans will be sure to see him create many chances this autumn as long as he can stay fit.
Back Three
Steff Evans has continued last season’s hot form through to the international break. Since the start of the 2016/17 season he has beaten 98 defenders; if you give him an inch of space, he’ll utilise it. No other winger has managed more than 50 in that time.
Halfpenny is expected to start at full back leaving the other wing slot open for Liam Williams. Williams is sure to offer a great counter-attacking threat despite being overlooked as a fullback option. Nevertheless he’ll be a pivotal player in the defensive game as he looks to help Halfpenny out when Australia look at the territory game.
Wales Bench
Front row replacements are solid in depth for Robin McBryde and Warren Gatland to choose from. However he is likely to go with Nicky Smith, uncapped Leon Brown and Kristian Dacey.
The second row will also consist of some youth with Seb Davies gaining his opportunity. He had an impressive summer tour and a great Pro14 season thus far.
With injury worries affecting the back row, and Tipuric being re-evaluated on Thursday morning it’s expected that utility back-rower Sam Cross will take a spot on the bench. He’ll be able to cover all three positions, if required.
Rhys Webb’s injury evaluation also means that there will be a slot on the bench for Aled Davies if the Ospreys scrum half is deemed unfit to play.
Outside of him will be Owen Watkin who is set to be given a chance by Warren Gatland following a long layoff with injury. Hallum Amos takes the final bench spot, with him covering the wing positions. This allows Halfpenny or Williams to cover the full back/wing slots in case of any injuries.
Wales v Australia Line-Up
The Wales v Australia Line-up is set to be one slightly different to Warren Gatland’s usual game-plan as he looks to outwit Michael Cheika in the opposing dugout. The squad selection hints of a running game that will see quick ball produced.
The Welsh side contains a lot of youth involvment both starting and on the bench. This will be a good marker for Gatland and his men to see where they are as they look to push on to the Rugby World Cup 2019.
You can see who is in the Welsh Autumn Internationals Squad here.
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