Five we would like to see picked for Wales

Tuesday 10 January 2012

It is almost that time of year again. January, in rugby's calendar, is the month where everyone is put into the Six Nations blender of anticipation, expectation, hope, fear, nerves “ you name it, and it has been tossed in for good measure “ before the lid comes off in February and you are a left a smoothie of emotion as your country sets off on a five-game quest for glory.

One more round of Heineken Cup action falls before Warren Gatland is expected to announce his squad so here are five faces we would like to see make the cut.

5 “ Scott Williams (centre, Scarlets)

Scott Williams, despite being one of the finds of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, is still a bit of a rugby enigma. He has only represented his region 15 times, and has eight caps for his country. Not bad for someone who has just turned 21 years of age.

Jamie Roberts is expected to be fit for the opening Six Nations game with Ireland and 'baby rhino' Jonathan Davies has been favoured as a partnership of late, but Williams offers something a little different “ he is adept at running cute lines but also releasing the ball in tight situations.

Berrick Barnes has twice shown Wales how effective a midfield architect can be, and Williams can prosper as a second distributor in the centre.

4 “ Justin Tipuric (flanker, Ospreys)

Okay, this one may be cheating a little bit, because it is not for the starting XV.

Despite Ospreys' stuttering form of late, the one mainstay of positivity has been Tipuric's performances at openside. He has been the perpetual in a revolving back row unit that has struggled for consistency this season.

Comfortable across the back row, and at a push second row, his inclusion should primarily provide healthy competition to Sam Warburton.

3 “ Ian Evans (second row, Ospreys)

Injuries to Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris have highlighted the lack of depth Wales has at second row.

Evans was one of few positives to emerge from Wales' defeat to Australia in December. His athleticism and ball-carrying ability make him a seamless fit in the absence of Wales' first choice pairing at the Rugby World Cup.

That is if Evans can stay fit himself...

2 “ Alex Cuthbert (wing, Cardiff Blues)

Cuthbert made his international debut on the day Williams relinquished the red no.11 jersey, and whilst Leigh Halfpenny remains a wing-cum-fullback, his performances at 15 during the World Cup should see him remain there this spring.

If the above is realised, then Williams' replacement will be the polar opposite of Wales' all-time record try scorer “ huge in stature but small in reputation when it comes to the international stage.

With seven tries in 12 appearances for his region so far this term, Cuthbert is developing into a credible finisher.

1 “ Rhys Gill (prop, Saracens)

He is possibly Wales' form front rower at this point in time given his performances in the Heineken Cup; most notably up against Adam Jones.

His selection will fall under Gatland's Law, Section 2.1: Picking players from England. Although it is hard to see whether playing in the Aviva Premiership will hinder Gill. For my money, it should help, considering his form this season. It is difficult to gauge on past examples due to Andy Powell's discipline issues and Dwayne Peel's omission has allowed a younger crop of scrum-halves to compete for a place.

Despite the wear and tear of scrummaging, front row forwards maintain a decent lifespan at the highest level of the game. At just 25 “ and starring at Saracens, a club that is proving to be progressive both on and off the field “ Gill is primed to add to his solitary cap in the not-too-distant future.